Andries Bekker facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Andries Bekker

Date of birth	(1983-12-05) 5 December 1983 (age 40)
Place of birth	Goodwood, Cape Town, South Africa
Height	2.08 m (6 ft 10 in)
Weight	121 kg (267 lb)
School	Paul Roos Gymnasium
University	University of South Africa
Notable relative(s)	Hennie Bekker (father)
Occupation(s)	Professional rugby player
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 2004–2012 2013–2018 [[{{{tan}}}|{{{t}}}]] Kobelco Steelers 38 42 (60) (70) Correct as of 15 January 2017 Super Rugby Years Team Apps (Points) 2005–2013 Stormers 104 (75) Correct as of 2 June 2013 National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2008–2012 South Africa 29 (5) Correct as of 14 April 2013

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

Playing career

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.

In 2013 Bekker agreed to a move to Japanese club Kobelco Steelers. He announced his retirement in January 2018.

Accolades

Bekker was a Vodacom Super 14 Rugby Player of the Year nominee in 2008.