Pierre Spies facts for kids
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| Full name | Pierre Johan Spies | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 8 June 1985 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Pretoria, South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.94 m (6 ft 4+1⁄2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 116 kg (18 st 4 lb; 256 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | University of Pretoria | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Pierre Johan Spies (born 8 June 1985) is a retired rugby union player from South Africa. He was known for playing as a Number 8. He could also play as a flanker or even on the wing. From 2005 to 2015, he played most of his career for the Bulls in Super Rugby. He also played for the Blue Bulls in South African domestic rugby. Later, he played in Japan and France. Pierre Spies represented South Africa in international matches from 2006 to 2013.
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About Pierre Spies
Pierre Spies was born in Pretoria, South Africa. He went to Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool, a famous school in Pretoria. Many future sports stars attended this school with him. These included rugby players like Fourie du Preez and Wynand Olivier. Cricketers like AB de Villiers also went there. After school, he studied Construction Management at the University of Pretoria.
Pierre Spies married Juanne Weidemann in December 2008. He is a strong Christian. He started practicing his faith more seriously in his twenties.
Pierre Spies' Rugby Career
Pierre Spies began his professional rugby journey in 2005. His first senior game was for the Blue Bulls. He then made his Super 12 debut for the Bulls. He was the youngest player ever to play for the Bulls at that time.
Early International Matches
In 2006, Pierre Spies played for the South African Under-21 team. They competed in the 2006 Under 21 Rugby World Championship in France. Later that year, he made his debut for the senior South Africa team, known as the Springboks. This was during the 2006 Tri Nations Series. He quickly showed his talent. He was named "Man-of-the-Match" in two games against New Zealand and Australia.
Overcoming Injuries
Pierre Spies faced some challenges with injuries during his career. In 2007, he was chosen for the 2007 Rugby World Cup squad. However, he had to withdraw due to blood clots in his lungs. This was a serious health issue. After recovering, he returned to play for the Springboks in 2008. He played against Wales.
Domestic Rugby Success
In South African domestic rugby, Pierre Spies was a standout player. In 2008, he was nominated for several awards. He won the award for South Africa's Most Promising Player of the Year. He also won Sportsman of the Year. His strong performances continued in 2009. He was selected to play for the Springboks against the British & Irish Lions.
Later Career and Retirement
After leaving the Bulls in 2015, Pierre Spies played for a Japanese club called Kintetsu Liners. He then moved to France to play for Montpellier Hérault Rugby. His former coach, Jake White, was also at Montpellier. In 2017, Pierre Spies decided to retire from rugby. His contract with Montpellier was not renewed, and he chose to end his playing career.
Physical Abilities
Pierre Spies was known for his amazing strength and speed. He was very strong, able to lift heavy weights. He was also very fast for his size. This speed sometimes allowed him to play on the wing, which is unusual for a forward. People often talked about his ability to break through defenders. He was seen as a player who could find gaps and run into open space.
See also
In Spanish: Pierre Spies para niños
