Danie Gerber

Last updated

Danie Gerber
Birth nameDaniël Mattheus Gerber
Date of birth (1958-04-14) 14 April 1958 (age 64)
Place of birth Port Elizabeth, Cape Province Union of South Africa (now Eastern Cape)
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight91 kg (201 lb)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
Provincial / State sides
YearsTeamApps(Points)
Eastern Province
Western Province
Free State 		115
40
24		 ()
Correct as of 2007-10-31
National team(s)
YearsTeamApps(Points)
1980–1992 South Africa 24 (82)
Correct as of 2007-10-31

Danie Gerber (born 14 April 1958 in Port Elizabeth, Union of South Africa) is a former South African rugby union player, who played for South Africa between 1980 and 1992. He played mainly at inside or outside centre, but also on the wing.

Contents

His international career was severely limited because of South Africa's sporting isolation caused by apartheid. [1] He won only 24 caps for South Africa (scoring 19 tries [2] ), despite playing internationally for 12 years. However despite this, in 2007 he was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame. [3]

Early life

Gerber initially played football and cricket at school level, but accelerated quickly when starting rugby, playing for SA schools. [4]

Rugby career

In South African domestic rugby Gerber played 115 games for Eastern Province, 40 for Western Province and 24 for Orange Free State.

Gerber's international career of games played and points scored:

Test history

No.OppositionResult (SA 1st)PositionPointsDateVenue
1. Flag sudamerica xv 1980.jpg South American Jaguars 22–13 Centre 4 (1 try)18 October 1980Wanderers Club, Montevideo
2. Flag sudamerica xv 1980.jpg South American Jaguars30–16Centre4 (1 try)25 October 1980Prince of Wales Cricket Club, Santiago
3.Flag of France.svg  France 37–15Centre8 November 1980 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
4.IRFU flag.svg  Ireland 23–15Centre8 (2 tries)30 May 1981 Newlands, Cape Town
5. IRFU flag.svg Ireland12–10Centre6 June 1981 Kings Park, Durban
6.Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 9–14Centre15 August 1981 Lancaster Park, Christchurch
7. Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand24–12Centre29 August 1981 Athletic Park, Wellington
8. Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand22–25Centre12 September 1981 Eden Park, Auckland
9.Flag of the United States.svg  United States 38–7Centre20 September 1981Owl Creek Polo ground, Glenville, New York
10. Flag sudamerica xv 1980.jpg South American Jaguars50–18Centre12 (3 tries)27 March 1982Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
11. Flag sudamerica xv 1980.jpg South American Jaguars12–21Centre4 (1 try)3 April 1982Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
12.Flag of England.svg  England 33 - 15 Centre 4 (1 try)2 June 1984 Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth
13. Flag of England.svg England35 - 9Centre12 (3 tries)9 June 1984 Ellis Park, Johannesburg
14. Flag sudamerica xv 1980.jpg South American Jaguars32–15Centre6 (1 try, 1 conv.)20 October 1984Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
15. Flag sudamerica xv 1980.jpg South American Jaguars21–13Centre4 (1 try)27 October 1984Newlands, Cape Town
16. New Zealand Cavaliers 21–15Centre10 May 1986Newlands, Cape Town
17.New Zealand Cavaliers18–19Centre17 May 1986Kings Park, Durban
18.New Zealand Cavaliers33–18Centre4 (1 try)24 May 1986Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
19.New Zealand Cavaliers24–10Centre31 May 1986Ellis Park, Johannesburg
20.Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 24–27Centre10 (2 tries) 15 August 1992 Ellis Park, Johannesburg
21.Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 3–26Centre22 August 1992Newlands, Cape Town
22.Flag of France.svg  France 20–15Centre5 (1 try)17 October 1992 Stade de Gerland, Lyon
23. Flag of France.svg France16–29Centre5 (1 try)24 October 1992 Parc des Princes, Paris
24. Flag of England.svg England16–33Centre14 November 1992 Twickenham, London

Gerber scored 19 tries in 24 internationals, [8] a very high strike rate for a centre.

Style of play

Gerber had very high acceleration and pace, could sidestep off either foot, break tackles, [9] had a clear vision of space on the field, and high ball skill levels (catching, passing and kicking). He was also very solid in defence. [10]

Gerber attributed his sidestep to his early football. He trained extensively (particularly running, but also swimming, circuit training and weights) and had a high fitness level, which were unusual attributes before rugby went professional. [11] [12]

Legacy

Gerber has been described as one of the greatest ever rugby centres. [13] [14] He has been named South Africa's greatest ever centre, [15] [16] and Naas Botha has said he is one of the greatest ever South African rugby players. [17] Martin Johnson named him in his International Rugby Hall of Fame member's XV, and Bill McLaren's named him in his 'all time' XV. [18] [19] [20]

Personal life

Gerber is married to Elsabe.

In 2002, he had heart surgery, and his family have a pattern of high cholesterol. [21]

See also

Related Research Articles

Jaco van der Westhuyzen is a South African former professional rugby union footballer who played fly-half or fullback.

Danie Craven South African rugby union footballer, coach and administrator

Daniël Hartman Craven was a South African rugby union player (1931–1938), national coach, national and international rugby administrator, academic, and author. Popularly known as Danie, Doc, or Mr Rugby, Craven's appointment from 1949 to 1956 as coach of the Springboks signalled "one of the most successful spells in South African rugby history" during which the national team won 74% of their matches. While as a player Craven is mostly remembered as one of rugby's greatest dive-passing scrumhalves ever, he had also on occasion been selected to play for the Springboks as a centre, fly-half, No.8, and full-back. As the longest-serving President of the South African Rugby Board (1956–93) and chairman of the International Rugby Board, Craven became one of the best-known and most controversial rugby administrators. In 1969, Craven sparked outrage among anti-apartheid activists when he said, "There will be a black springbok over my dead body".

Jake White Rugby player

Jake White is a professional rugby union coach and former coach of the South African national team – the Springboks – whom he coached to victory in 2007 Rugby World Cup and the 2004 Tri Nations. White also coached the Under-21 Springbok side to victory in the Under-21 World Cup in 2002. He was coach of the Brumbies in the Super Rugby from 2012, but resigned with two years remaining on his contract in 2013 to return to South Africa. On returning to South Africa, he coached the Sharks for a single season, explaining he wanted to seek international opportunities. This arose in a technical role with the Tongan national team. After assisting Tonga in their 3 Test European Tour, White was announced as Montpellier's new boss, overseeing all coaching aspects for the club.

Joost van der Westhuizen Rugby player

Joost Heystek van der Westhuizen was a South African professional rugby union player who made 89 appearances in test matches for the national team, scoring 38 tries. He mostly played as a scrum-half and participated in three Rugby World Cups, most notably in the 1995 tournament, which was won by South Africa. He is widely recognised as the greatest scrumhalf of all time.

Blue Bulls South African rugby team

The Blue Bulls is a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. They are governed by the Blue Bulls Rugby Union and are based at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, Gauteng province.

Bryan Habana Rugby player

Bryan Gary Habana OIS is a South African former professional rugby union player who initially played as an outside centre but later on, he shifted to the wing. He most recently played for Toulon in the French Top 14 competition, and for the South Africa national team.

A World XV is a rugby union team organised on an unofficial, ad hoc basis and typically composed of invited players from various countries. Several World XVs have been arranged by various bodies, often to take part in celebration and testimonial games, usually against national teams, but these are not considered test matches by most nations.

Danie Coetzee is a South African rugby union footballer. His usual position is at hooker, and he has played for the Springboks. He played for the Bulls in the international Super 12 competition as well as the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup, and played for London Irish for five seasons between 2005 and 2010, retiring in 2010.

Jaque Fourie South African rugby union player

Jaque Fourie is a South African former professional rugby union player. He was a versatile backline player whose usual position was in the centres. He was a member of the 2007 Rugby World Cup winning team, playing at outside centre for 6 out of 7 matches, including all 80 minutes of the World Cup Final, which South Africa won 15–6.

Errol George Tobias is a former South African rugby union footballer, and the first player of colour to play in a test match for the South African national side. He gained six caps between 1981 and 1984 when the country was still following the policy of apartheid. Tobias's selection paved the way for other black players to be added to the national team: first Avril Williams, and later, Avril's nephew, Chester Williams. Of his 21 games for the Springboks, six were tests.

Paddy Carolin South African rugby union player

Harold "Paddy" Carolin (1881-1967) was a rugby union player who represented South Africa and is credited with conceiving both the 3-4-1 scrum formation and helping choose the name 'Springboks' for the South African national side. Carolin was the second player ever to serve as captain abroad, following Paul Roos.

Jan Hendrik Ellis was a South African rugby union player who represented the Springboks in 38 tests, which at his retirement in 1976 was a record. His 7 test tries equalled Ferdie Bergh's record for forwards and were only surpassed in 1997 by Mark Andrews' 12 tries. Playing on the flank, Ellis was instantly recognisable on the field due to his red hair and uncompromising playing style. Among three Springboks invited to participate in the first unofficial rugby sevens world cup in 1973, he was ranked in 2003 as the 12th greatest Springbok of all time.

Sydney Nomis was a South African national rugby union player who until 2001 held the record for most consecutive matches (25) played for the Springboks. Nomis is best remembered for tries that he scored against France in 1968 and the All Blacks in 1970.

Johannes Daniel "Hannes" Brewis was a South African rugby union player. He was capped for South Africa ten times, and was selected to play for the Springboks on the 1951–52 South Africa rugby tour of Great Britain, Ireland and France; playing in all five international games of that tour. The touring team of 1951/52 is seen as one of the greatest South African teams, winning 30 of the 31 matches, including all five internationals. Brewis represented Northern Transvaal at regional level and is recognised as one of the great South African rugby players of the 1940s and early 1950s.

Marnitz Louis Boshoff is a South African rugby union player who usually plays as a fly-half or fullback. He plays for the Bulls in Super Rugby, the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup and the Blue Bulls XV in the Rugby Challenge, having previously played for South African provincial sides Griquas, the Blue Bulls and the Golden Lions in the Currie Cup and for Super Rugby side the Lions. He also had a short stint with Irish provincial side Connacht in the Pro14.

Gerry Brand Rugby player

Gerhard Hamilton Brand was a Springbok rugby union footballer who played in 16 tests between 1928 and 1938. Brand has been described as the best kicker of his era, as well as a "magnificent defensive player" with a "wonderful tackle". According to Guinness World Records he executed the longest drop goal in rugby union to date. Brand's 55 test career points for the Springboks set a 27-year record (1938–65), which was eventually surpassed by Keith Oxlee.

Jesse Kriel Rugby player

Jesse André Kriel is a South African professional rugby union player for the South Africa national team and Canon Eagles in the Japanese Top League. His regular playing position is as a utility back but can also play centre, wing or fullback. Kriel was part of the national team who won the Rugby World Cup in 2019.

1992 South Africa vs New Zealand rugby union match South Africas first rugby test match since being banned due to apartheid

In 1992, the South Africa Springboks played a rugby union test match against the New Zealand All Blacks, which later became known as the Return Test. The match was played at Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg on 15 August 1992. It was named as the Return Test as it was South Africa's first test match since the International Rugby Board (IRB) had banned them due to apartheid.

Schalk Willem Petrus Burger Snr. is a former South African rugby union player.

References

  1. ↑ Knowler, Richard (16 April 2005). "GERBER LAMENTS POACHING AND POLITICS". The Press. p. 2.
  2. ↑ "The greatest centres of all time: Danie Gerber". 18 August 2016.
  3. ↑ "Daniel Gerber". rugbyhalloffame.com. Archived from the original on 11 October 2007. Retrieved 31 October 2007.
  4. ↑ In Conversation with Danie Gerber. YouTube . Archived from the original on 11 December 2021.
  5. ↑ "Danie Gerber". scrum.com. Retrieved 31 October 2007.
  6. ↑ Struthers, Greg (3 June 2007). "Caught in time". London: timesonline.co.uk. Retrieved 31 October 2007.
  7. ↑ Hewett, Chris (27 May 2007). "England the sick men of Africa". The Independent. Retrieved 31 October 2007.[ dead link ]
  8. ↑ "The greatest centres of all time: Danie Gerber". 18 August 2016.
  9. ↑ "Daniel Mattheus Gerber".
  10. ↑ In Conversation with Danie Gerber. YouTube . Archived from the original on 11 December 2021.
  11. ↑ "Rugby history top 10: The greatest centres of all time as O'Driscoll and Sella fight for top spot". 29 November 2017.
  12. ↑ "Daniel Mattheus Gerber".
  13. ↑ "The greatest centres of all time: Danie Gerber". 18 August 2016.
  14. ↑ "Great Springbok Tries Series: Danie Gerber vs the All Blacks".
  15. ↑ "Rugby history top 10: The greatest centres of all time as O'Driscoll and Sella fight for top spot". 29 November 2017.
  16. ↑ "Selecting the Greatest All-Time South Africa XV". Bleacher Report .
  17. ↑ "Rugby history top 10: The greatest centres of all time as O'Driscoll and Sella fight for top spot". 29 November 2017.
  18. ↑ XV refers to the fifteen players on a rugby team.
  19. ↑ "Martin Johnson's all-time XV". London: timesonline.co.uk. 2 August 2007. Retrieved 31 October 2007.
  20. ↑ "Bill McLaren's World XV". bbc.co.uk. 5 March 2002. Retrieved 31 October 2007.
  21. ↑ In Conversation with Danie Gerber. YouTube . Archived from the original on 11 December 2021.

http://www.espnscrum.com/southafrica/rugby/player/9270.html

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.