Andries Bekker facts for kids
| Date of birth | 5 December 1983 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| 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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Andries Bekker, born on December 5, 1983, in Cape Town, South Africa, is a famous former rugby player. He played as a lock position. He was a key player for the Springboks, which is South Africa's national rugby team. He also played for the Kobelco Steelers team in Japan's top rugby league.
Contents
Andries Bekker's Rugby Journey
Starting His International Career
Andries Bekker first played for the Springboks in 2008. His first game was against Wales in Bloemfontein. The Springboks won that match with a score of 43–17. This was an exciting start to his international rugby career.
A Tall Player on the Field
Andries Bekker is known for being one of the tallest international rugby players. He stands at 6 feet 11 inches (2.08 meters) tall. This made him a very strong player in the lineout, which is a special part of rugby where players lift each other to catch the ball. He holds the record for being the tallest Springbok player ever.
Family Rugby Connection
Rugby runs in Andries's family! His father, Hennie Bekker, was also a Springbok player. Like Andries, his father also played in the lock position. It's cool how they both shared a love for the game and played for their country.
Skills and Strengths
Even though Andries was very tall and strong, he was also quick and could move well on the field. These skills made him a very important part of the Springbok team. His experience and all-around ability helped the team, especially when they had many young players in 2010.
Playing in Japan
In 2013, Andries Bekker decided to move to Japan. He joined the Kobelco Steelers rugby club. He played for them until he announced his retirement from rugby in January 2018.
Awards and Recognition
Super Rugby Nomination
In 2008, Andries Bekker was nominated for a big award. He was a nominee for the Vodacom Super 14 Rugby Player of the Year. This shows how well he played and how important he was to his team, the Stormers, during that season.
