Danie Rossouw Biography

A hard-hitter of note, Danie Rossouw was a rugged forward player who ensured that any opposition player in his line of sight would meet the pitch in the most ineloquent way possible: being tackled and left in a pile on the ground.

The fierce Springbok was born in Sabie on 5 June 1978. The big man made his first appearance in a senior squad at the age of 21, playing for the Bulls. He stayed there for over a decade, from 1999 to 2011.

The versatile forward considered the Pretoria franchise to be one of his homes, and mentioned in an interview that there is nothing quite like playing for one’s home town club with friends. He made 95 appearances for the Bulls in the Currie Cup and scored 23 tries. In Super Rugby, he netted 116 appearances and nine tries.

Danie Rossouw made his test debut for the Springboks in the opening pool game against Uruguay in the 2003 Rugby World Cup. He managed to score a try in his debut and scored two more tries in the game against Georgia.

Despite playing primarily at number 8, he could slot in at flank and lock as well. Anything for the big man as long as he got to ram into people.

He also featured in the famous 2007 Springbok squad that won the Rugby World Cup. His contribution to their run was invaluable, scoring a try against Argentina in the semifinal, and stopping Mark Cueto from scoring a try for England in the final that would have seen them back into the game.

The call that the winger was in touch as he put the ball down was highly contested, but would not have been questioned had Danie Rossouw not been there to save the day for the Springboks.

During his career he accumulated a series of honours, winning the Currie Cup and Super Rugby competitions with the Bulls. He took Currie Cup gold in 2004 and 2009, while lifting the Super Rugby trophy in 2007, 2009, and 2010. The Bulls remain the only South African side to win the Super Rugby competition in its modern form.

He also won the Tri Nations in 2009 as well as the touring British & Irish Lions. His other achievements overseas include amassing trophies for Suntory Sungoliaths and Toulon.