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Fourie du Preez

Regarded by many of his peers as one of the greatest to have played the game, Fourie du Preez is a household name in Springbok rugby. Learn more with Rugby365

Fourie du Preez Biography

Easily one of the best scrumhalves to have stepped onto the pitch, Fourie du Preez procured a host of accolades during his career and is regarded as one of the best by peers and fans alike.

It all started for the Springbok at Afrikaanse Hoer Seunskool, where he was quickly spotted as a hot, emerging talent.

He would get some international competition in the Under-19 and Under-21 Rugby World Cup, the latter of which he would win in 2002.

Shortly after, Fourie du Preez would join his hometown franchise, the Bulls, in Pretoria. He stayed at the Bulls for 10 seasons and would amass a collection of trophies for himself, club, and country.

During his time there the Bulls would win the Currie Cup in ‘02, ‘03, ‘04, and ‘09, while sharing the spoils with the Cheetahs in ‘06. They also made it to the grand finals in ‘05 and ‘08. Truly a dominant period for the Pretoria franchise, and influenced greatly by the genius of the Springbok scrumhalf.

Their dominance was not only limited to South African borders, but internationally as well. They bagged the Super Rugby trophy in ‘07, ‘09, and ‘10. This was the only period in which a South African franchise showed such dominance in the competition.

His peers consistently spoke of his humble approach and mental fortitude. Fourie du Preez would leave his all out on the pitch and from an early age never considered himself to be the best at rugby, but simply played it because of his love for the game.

After his tenure at the Bulls he would join the Suntory Sungoliaths in Japan.

Fourie du Preez made his first cap for the Springboks in 2004. He was also part of the South African side that took home gold in the Tri-Nations that same year, and again in 2009.

The star-studded scrumhalf secured a spot in three Rugby World Cups, famously winning the competition in 2007. He retired from international rugby in 2015 after his last World Cup, having played 76 games and scored 16 tries.

He received two nominations for the IRB Player of the Year Award, in ‘06 and ‘09, falling short to New Zealand's Richie McCaw on both occasions.

Fourie du Preez demonstrated nothing but genius when on the field, and patient leadership off of it. His conduct made him a true hero of the game, and champion of the Springboks.