Danie Gerber: Rugby Union
Danie Gerber (born 14 April 1958 in Port Elizabeth, South Africa) is retired South African rugby union player. He is considered to be the greatest center ever to play for the Springboks. He won 24 caps for South Africa despite playing internationally for 12 years because of the country’s sporting isolation caused by apartheid. Gerber first played internationally against the South American Jaguars in 1980 where he scored a try.
Greatest Sporting Achievements
Danie Gerber played 115 games for Eastern Province, 40 for Western Province and 24 Free State. His career was limited to 24 Tests for the Boks between 1980 and 1992. He is one of the new inductees into the International Rugby Hall of Fame.
Why Was He So Good?
Danie Gerber was a player of immense talent. He reached the peak of his powers in the 1980s. He was a center with a rare mix of speed, size and agility, as well as a devastating attacker and a rock-solid presence in defense. He can effortlessly step off both feet and break tackles with an extraordinary regularity meant that a sense of exhilaration fell over crowds once the ball made its way into his hold.
What You May Not Know
- Danie Gerber weighed 194 lbs. and stood 6 ft. 1 in.
- “From broken play, he (Gerber) was the most dangerous player in the world.” – Ray Mordt
Was he a legend?
Do you agree with Danie Gerber being a legend of Rugby Union?
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