Top 50 Boks: Andre Pretorius
Wednesday, December 16
Our latest set of feature articles outlines the Top 50 Springboks to don the Green and Gold since re-admission.
Some great players have represented South Africa in the past 17 years and we've decided to take a trip down memory lane and remember and list the SARugby.com 50 Greatest Springboks since 1992.
Contribution to the Springboks, Test caps, tries and the sheer skill and brilliance of the players were considered as a panel of journalists worked out our list of honour.
Over the short rugby off-season, we will be working our way backwards from player number 50 towards our best Springbok player since re-admission.
Join us as we work our way through the list and let us know where you agree, or disagree, with our selections.
38 – André Pretorius
Pretorius has been plagued by injury throughout his career but still won 31 Tests for South Africa. He would undoubtedly have had the distinction of having 50 Tests behind his name had it not been for recurring knee injuries.
He made his Springbok debut against Wales in Bloemfontein on June 8, 2002, slotting three conversions and a penalty in South Africa’s 34-19 victory. Pretorius is a creative flyhalf with great distribution skills and a lethal sidestep, but it’s his reliable boot and drop kicking prowess that opposing teams fear most.
One of Pretorius’ most memorable performances was against England at Twickenham on November 25, 2006, when he landed four drop goals, two penalties and a conversion to guide the Boks to their first win over England at the legendary venue in six years. After making four appearances in South Africa’s triumphant 2007 World Cup campaign, Pretorius fittingly played his last Test against Wales on November 24 of that year.
Pretorius initially made a name for himself on the Sevens circuit and was named SA Sevens Player of the Year in 2001. His natural talent also earned him a nomination for SA Player of the Year in 2002. After a rich career at the Lions, Pretorius signed for Western Force for the 2010 Super 14 season.
Full Name: André Stefan
Surname: Pretorius
Position: Flyhalf
Height: 1.76m
Weight: 90kg
Date of Birth: 29 December 1978
Place of Birth: Johannesburg
School: Danimika
Provincial debut: Lions
Tests: 31
Points: 171
Tries: 2
Conversions: 31
Penalties: 25
Drop Goals: 8
Test Debut: 8 June 2002 vs. Wales in Bloemfontein aged 23
Last Test: 24 November 2007 vs. Wales in Cardiff aged 28
Records/Honours: SA Sevens Player of the Year, 2001; SA Player of the Year nominee, 2002; Member of the World Cup winning Springbok squad, 2007
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