Robert du Preez (rugby union, born 1963)

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Robert du Preez
Full nameRobert James du Preez
Date of birth (1963-07-19) 19 July 1963 (age 60)
Place of birth Potchefstroom, South Africa
Height1.82 m (5 ft 11+12 in)
Weight85 kg (13 st 5 lb; 187 lb)
SchoolTechnical High, Potchefstroom
University University of Pretoria
Notable relative(s) Robert du Preez (son),
Dan du Preez (son),
Jean-Luc du Preez (son)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Scrum-half
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
1992–1993 South Africa 7 (0)
Correct as of 31 October 2016
Coaching career
YearsTeam
2011–2013 College Rovers
2014–2015 Leopards
2016–2018 Sharks
2017–present Sharks

Robert James du Preez (born 19 July 1963 in Potchefstroom) is a former South African international rugby union player and former head coach of the Sharks Super Rugby team. [1] His regular position was scrum-half.

Contents

Playing career

Du Preez started his provincial career with Western Transvaal in 1982. He then moved to Northern Transvaal, where his regular halfback partner was Naas Botha. He ended his playing career with Natal.

Du Preez played seven test matches for the Springboks in 1992 and 1993. He also played in eight tour matches, scoring nine tries for the Springboks. [2]

Test history

No.OppositionResult (SA 1st)PositionTriesDateVenue
1.Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 24–27 Scrumhalf 15 August 1992 Ellis Park, Johannesburg
2.Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 3–26Scrumhalf22 August 1992 Newlands, Cape Town
3.Flag of France.svg  France 20–20Scrumhalf26 June 1993 Kings Park Stadium, Durban
4. Flag of France.svg France17–18Scrumhalf3 July 1993Ellis Park, Johannesburg
5. Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia19–12Scrumhalf31 July 1993 Sydney Football Stadium (SFG), Sydney
6. Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia20–28Scrumhalf14 August 1993 Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
7. Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia12–19Scrumhalf21 August 1993 Sydney Football Stadium (SFG), Sydney

Coaching career

He coached KwaZulu-Natal sides Crusaders (in 2010) and College Rovers (between 2011 and 2013) before returning to his home town of Potchefstroom to coach both provincial side the Leopards and university side NWU Pukke.

Personal

Du Preez's eldest son – also called Robert – is a professional rugby player that played provincial rugby for Western Province and for the South Africa Under-20 side at the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship. [3]

He also has two younger twin sons – Dan and Jean-Luc – that were both included in the South Africa Under-20 squad for the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship. [4] All three sons were selected for the Sharks squad for the 2019 Super Rugby competition.

Accolades

Du Preez was also a South African Rugby Young Player of the Year nominee in 1987 and a South African Rugby Player of the Year nominee in 1989 and 1990.

See also

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References

  1. "SA Rugby Player Profile – Robert du Preez". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  2. Colquhoun, Andy (1999). The South African Rugby Annual 1999. Cape Town: MWP Media Sport. p. 144. ISBN   0958423148.
  3. "Meet the Du Preez Trio: Robert, Daniel and Jean-Luc". S.A. School Sports. 24 May 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  4. "Junior Springboks named for JWC 2014". South African Rugby Union. 22 April 2014. Archived from the original on 7 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.