André Pretorius

André Stefan Pretorius (born 29 December 1978 in Johannesburg, South Africa) is a former South African rugby union footballer that played professionally between 1999 and 2014. His usual position was at fly-half. He has been capped by his country's national side, the Springboks and was a member of the 2007 Rugby World Cup squad that was crowned world champions.

He spent the first decade of his career (between 1999 and 2009) in Johannesburg, where he played Super Rugby and the Lions (initially known as the Cats) and domestic South African provincial rugby for the Golden Lions, returning there for another spell in 2011. He also played with the Sharks and the Leopards and had spells at French clubs Toulon and Carcassonne.

Career

Pretorius made his international debut for the Springboks on 8 June 2002 at fly-half against Wales at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. The Springboks won 34–19, with Pretorius kicking three conversions and one penalty goal. He played in the subsequent 19–8 victory over the Welsh. He notched up one try, five conversions and three penalty goals in his third match as a Springbok against Argentina. When kicking at goal, he would usually create his own tee out of dirt, drawing an arrow on the ground towards the goal.

After playing in another Test against Samoa, in which he again played a large role with his kicking ability, Pretorius was included in the Springboks 2002 Tri Nations Series squad. He played in three Tri Nations matches, two against the All Blacks and one against Australia, with South Africa losing all three. He earned a further three caps for the Springboks that year in November against Northern Hemisphere sides, playing matches against France, England and Scotland, all of which South Africa lost.