Werner Swanepoel

Last updated

Werner Swanepoel
Date of birth (1973-04-15) 15 April 1973 (age 51)
Place of birth Bloemfontein, South Africa
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight168 lb (12 st 0 lb)
SchoolGrey College
University University of Pretoria
ChildrenMegan, Mikah, Kian, and Kai
Rugby union career
Position(s) Scrum-half
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2002–2004 Worcester ()
Provincial / State sides
YearsTeamApps(Points)
1993, 95–98 Free State 61 (105)
1994 Northern Transvaal 8 (15)
1999 Golden Lions 16 (10)
Super Rugby
YearsTeamApps(Points)
1998–2001 Cats 34 (25)
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
1997–2000 South Africa 20 (30)

Werner Swanepoel (born 15 April 1973) is a former South African rugby union player. He played as a scrum half for the Springboks from 1997 to 2000. His appearances for the Springboks were curtailed by virtue of his career coinciding with that of Joost van der Westhuizen. For the toothy grin he often flashed on the rugby field, he was given the nickname, "Smiley". [1]

Contents

Career

Swanepoel attended Grey College in Bloemfontein and played for the Free State Craven Week team from 1989 to 1991 and was selected for the South African Schools team in 1991. His senior provincial debut for the Free State was in 1993, whereafter he also played for Northern Transvaal, the Golden Lions and the Cats. [2]

Swanepoel made his debut for the Springboks in 1997 against the British Lions at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. He represented South Africa in the 1999 Rugby World Cup, scoring a try in their pool match against Spain. [3] In 2001, he was a replacement for The Barbarians in their match against Australia in Cardiff. [4] His career was ended unexpectedly when he contracted viral meningitis while he was playing with the English club, Worcester. [5]

Test history

No.OppositionResult
(SA 1st)
PositionTriesDateVenue
1.British and Irish Lions flag with no Lion.svg  British Lions 35–16Replacement5 Jul 1997 Ellis Park, Johannesburg
2.Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 62–32Replacement23 Aug 1997 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
3.Flag of France.svg  France 36–32Replacement15 Nov 1997 Stade de Gerland, Lyon
4.Flag of France.svg  France 52–10 Scrumhalf 22 Nov 1997 Parc des Princes, Paris
5.Flag of England.svg  England 29–11Scrumhalf129 Nov 1997 Twickenham, London
6.Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland 68–10Scrumhalf6 Dec 1997 Murrayfield, Edinburgh
7.IRFU flag.svg  Ireland 33–0Replacement20 Jun 1998Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
8.Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 96–13Replacement27 Jun 1998Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
9.Flag of England.svg  England 7–13Replacement5 Dec 1998Twickenham, London
10.Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 74–3Scrumhalf12 Jun 1999 Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth
11.Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 101–0Replacement19 Jun 1999 Kings Park, Durban
12.Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 19–29Scrumhalf126 Jun 1998 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
13.Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 6–32Scrumhalf17 Jul 1999 Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
14.Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 47–3Scrumhalf110 Oct 1999Murrayfield, Edinburgh
15.Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 22–18Replacement 4 Nov 1999 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
16.Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 23–44Scrumhalf18 Jul 2000 Colonial Stadium, Melbourne
17.Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 12–25Scrumhalf22 Jul 2000 Jade Stadium, Christchurch
18.Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 6–26Scrumhalf29 Jul 2000 Stadium Australia, Sydney
19.Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 46–40Scrumhalf219 Aug 2000Ellis Park, Johannesburg
20.Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 18–19Scrumhalf26 Aug 2000Kings Park, Durban

See also

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References

  1. "Presenter Profile - Werner Swanepoel". SuperSport. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  2. Schoeman, Chris (2001). Who's who of South African rugby 2001 - 2002 (6th ed.). Cape Town: Strobe Communications. p. 151. ISBN   0620261889.
  3. "South Africa v Spain". Rugby World Cup. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  4. "Player Archive - W. Swanepoel". Official Home of The Barbarians. Retrieved 30 January 2020.
  5. "Abrupt end wiped the grin from Werner's face". Times Live. 3 April 2011. Retrieved 23 September 2012.