Willem Alberts facts for kids
| Full name | Willem Schalk Alberts | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 11 May 1984 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Pretoria, South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.92 m (6 ft 3+1⁄2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 120 kg (18 st 13 lb; 265 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Hoërskool Monument, Krugersdorp | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | University of Johannesburg | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Willem Schalk Alberts (born 11 May 1984) is a South African former professional rugby union player. He played as a flanker or lock. These are positions in rugby where players are often involved in tackling and winning the ball. Willem played for famous teams like the Lions and Sharks in the Super Rugby competition. He also played for the Golden Lions and Sharks in the Currie Cup, which is a big rugby tournament in South Africa. Later, he moved to France to play for Stade Français. In 2020, he returned to South Africa to play for the Lions again. Willem went to Hoërskool Monument in Krugersdorp.
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Willem Alberts: Rugby Star
Willem Alberts is known for his powerful way of playing rugby. He was famous for his strong runs with the ball, which often needed more than one player to stop him. He was also known for his very strong defence and big tackles. Because he was so big and strong (weighing 120 kg), his tackles were often called "bone-crunching." This made him a favourite player among fans.
His Rugby Journey
Willem Alberts started his professional rugby career with the Golden Lions in 2007. In the same year, he played his first game in the Super 14 (now Super Rugby) against the Waratahs. In 2010, he moved to play for the Sharks team.
During the 2010 Currie Cup semi-final, Willem had an amazing game. He carried the ball 21 times and gained 144 metres, helping his team a lot. Because of his great performances for the Sharks, he was chosen to join the Springboks squad. The Springboks are South Africa's national rugby team.
Playing for South Africa
Willem Alberts made his first appearance for the Springboks on 13 November 2010. He came on as a substitute player and scored a try against Wales. Many people believed his impact was so big that he helped the Springboks win that game.
He played his second game for South Africa against Scotland. Again, he came off the bench and scored a powerful try by catching the ball in a line-out and driving over the try line. Even though he scored, the Springboks lost that game.
His third game was against England at Twickenham. Willem came on as a substitute again and scored another try. This try helped seal the win for South Africa, and he became known as "Super Sub."
Willem Alberts then started his first game for the Springboks against the Barbarians at Twickenham. This game was not an official test match, but it showed his skill. He finished his first tour with a perfect record of scoring a try in every official test match he played!
2011 Season Highlights
In the 2011 Super Rugby season, Willem Alberts played in all 18 matches for the Sharks. He won his first "Man-of-the-Match" award in Super Rugby for his great play against the Cheetahs. He also scored his first Super Rugby try for the Sharks against the Western Force. He scored another try against the Crusaders in a special game played at Twickenham.
He won another "Man-of-the-Match" award against the Lions, carrying the ball 18 times. Willem was the Sharks' top tackler in 2011, averaging 10 tackles per game. In one game against the Hurricanes, he made an impressive 23 tackles! His strong performances made him a big name in South African rugby.
Willem Alberts made his first start in an official test match for the Springboks against the All Blacks (New Zealand) on 10 August 2011. He played as a number 7 flanker and made 13 tackles. His strong play helped him secure a spot in the Springboks' 2011 Rugby World Cup team.
2012 Season Highlights
In 2012, Willem Alberts started in the game against England, which South Africa won 22–17. He also scored a try in the second test match, which South Africa won 36–27. This win meant South Africa won the series against England. Willem was injured and couldn't play in the final test, which ended in a 14–14 draw. Willem Alberts was a key player in South Africa winning that series.
Early Life and Documentaries
When Willem Alberts was seven years old in 1992, he was chosen to be part of a documentary series called 7 Up in South Africa. This series follows the lives of a group of children every seven years. Willem has appeared in the documentary many times since then. It has shown parts of his life, including growing up on a farm and how his family moved to the city.
See also
In Spanish: Willem Alberts para niños
