Andries Bekker

Andries Bekker

Date of birth	(1983-12-05) 5 December 1983
Place of birth	Goodwood, Cape Town, South Africa
Height
Weight	121 kg (19 st 1 lb)
School	Paul Roos Gymnasium
University	University of South Africa
Notable relative(s)	Hennie Bekker (father)
Occupation(s)	Professional rugby player
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position	Lock
Provincial/State sides
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
2004–12 2013–	Western Province Kobelco Steelers	38 25	(60) (55)
correct as of 26 January 2015.
Super Rugby
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
2005–13	Stormers	104	(75)
correct as of 02 June 2013.
National team(s)
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
2008–	South Africa	29	(5)
correct as of 14 April 2013.

Andries Bekker (born 5 December 1983 in Cape Town, South Africa) is a South African rugby union player for the Springbok rugby team as well as Kobelco Steelers in the Japanese Top League.

Bekker made his South African debut in 2008 against Wales in a 43–17 victory in Bloemfontein.

At 6'11" he is one of the tallest international rugby players, but he only made the Springbok side regularly after the retirement of locks Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield. He is the son of former Springbok International Hennie Bekker who was also a lock.

Holding the record for being the tallest Springbok in history, Andries Bekker was an imposing figure in the DHL Stormers lineout. Despite his large physique, he is blessed with mobility and pace; aspects which have seen him become an integral part of the current Springbok squad. His experience and all-round ability was to be crucial to the success of a relatively young pack in 2010. Bekker was a Vodacom Super 14 Rugby Player of the Year nominee in 2008.

In 2013 Bekker agreed to a move to Japanese club Kobelco Steelers.

External links

• itsrugby.co.uk profile