Hennie Bekker (rugby union)
Birth name | Hendrik Johnnes Bekker | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Date of birth | 12 September 1952 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Place of birth | Goodwood, Cape Town | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
University | Stellenbosch University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Children | Andries Bekker | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Hendrik Johannes Bekker (born 12 September 1952 in Nuwerus, Western Cape, South Africa is a former South African rugby union player.[1]
Early life and career
Bekker was born in the small town of Nuwerus in the North-western region of the
Playing career
Provincial career
After school, Bekker enrolled at Paarl Teachers Training College and made his provincial debut for
Two years later, in 1977 Bekker received his call up for military service and he had to join the Defence Force in Bloemfontein. During his time in Bloemfontein he played 27 matches for the Free State. Bekker returned to Stellenbosch in 1979 and again joined the Maties. He also returned to the Western Province team and represented the province until his retirement from playing at the end of 1985. During the 1980s Bekker was part of the Western Province team that won the Currie Cup in 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1985. At the time of his retirement, Bekker scored 44 tries for Western Province, which was the Western Province try scoring record.[2]
International career
Bekker made his test debut for the
Test history
No. | Opposition | Result (SA 1st) | Position | Tries | Date | Venue |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | New Zealand | 9–14 | Lock |
1 | 15 August 1981 | Lancaster Park, Christchurch |
2. | New Zealand | 22–25 | Lock | 12 September 1981 | Eden Park, Auckland |
Accolades
Bekker was named the SA Rugby player of the Year for 1983. The other nominees for the award in 1983 were Divan Serfontein, Carel du Plessis, Liaan Kirkham and Ray Mordt.
Coaching
On 1 October 1985, Bekker was appointed assistant–organiser for coaching at the South African Rugby Board. From 1986 to 1989 he acted as forward–coach for Western Province and in 1990 he replaced Dawie Snyman as head coach of Western Province.[2]
Personal
Bekker is the father of
See also
- List of South Africa national rugby union players – Springbok no. 527