Die Doring van Despatch
Danie Gerber was a player of immense talent whose career was stunted by South Africa's isolation years.
Gerber reached the peak of his powers in the 1980s, when the Springboks were in international isolation. A centre with the rare mix of speed, size and agility, Gerber was a devastating attacker and a rock solid presence in defence.
His ability to step off both feet and break tackles with a remarkable regularity meant that a sense of excitement fell over crowds once the ball made its way into his grasp.
His strike-rate of 19 tries in 24 Tests is exceptional, and Gerber was a player for whom no defence was watertight and no opportunity to score was turned down.
While other players may have vastly more Test caps to their name, few possessed the power, pace and swagger of Danie Gerber.
His iconic nickname, Die Doring van Despatch, is derived from his origins – Despatch, a small town in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa situated between Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage.
Perhaps his finest hour came against England in 1984, when playing outside South Africa's first ever black flyhalf Errol Tobias, Gerber scored a hat-trick in 18 first half minutes as the Springboks dismantled England in a then record 35-9 win at Ellis Park.
Sit back and enjoy!
First try:
Second try:
Third try:
