André Pretorius

Infobox Rugby biography
name = Andre Pretorius


caption =
birthname = André Stefan Pretorius
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1978|12|29
placeofbirth = Johannesburg, South Africa
height = height|m=1.75
weight = convert|86|kg|stlb|abbr=on
ru_position = flyhalf|capital=yes
ru_amateuryears =
ru_amateurclubs =
ru_amupdate =
ru_nationalteam = South Africa
ru_nationalyears = 2002-
ru_nationalcaps = 30
ru_nationalpoints = (165)
ru_ntupdate = October 15 2007
ru_clubyears =
ru_proclubs =
ru_clubcaps =
ru_clubpoints =
ru_clubupdate =
super14 = Lions
super14years = 2002-
super14caps =
super14points =
ru_currentclub =
super14update = October 15 2007
ru_province = Golden Lions
ru_provinceyears = 1999-
ru_provincecaps = 46
ru_provincepoints = (531)
ru_provinceupdate = October 15 2007
other = yes
occupation = Professional rugby union footballer
spouse =
children =
school =
university = Rand Afrikaans University

André Pretorius (born 29 December, 1978 in Johannesburg, South Africa) is a South African rugby union footballer. His usual position is at fly-half, where he plays for the Lions (formerly known as the Cats) in the international Super 14 competition as well as the Golden Lions in the Currie Cup and the national side, the Springboks. He has also played at fullback. Pretorius has been named the Lions captain for the 2007 Super 14 season.

Pretorius is known for being a creative fly-half with a good sidestep, superb vision and good distribution skills in addition to being a reliable goalkicker. However, he has also been criticised for his average defensive skills, which may be down to his small stature.

Pretorius made his international debut for the Springboks on 8th 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.

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.

He returned to international duties in July 2003 as a reserve in the 52-16 loss against the All Blacks during the 2003 Tri Nations Series. He was moved to fullback for the following match against Australia which the Springboks lost 29-9. He next played for the Springboks on July 23, 2005 as fly-half against Australia during the 2005 Tri Nations Series, which the Springboks won 22-16, with Pretorius landing a drop goal. He played a fly half for the subsequent matches. He earned another international cap in November in the 34-23 in over Argentina in Buenos Aires.

After undergoing major surgery, Pretorius turned out for the Lions in the 2006 Currie Cup season. Putting the surgery setbacks behind him, he guided the Lions to a 74-15 win over the Pumas in round seven. Pretorius himself scoring a try, as well as eight conversions and a penalty goal - 24 of the Lions' total 74 points.

External links

*Springboks|id=20734|name=André Pretorius
* [http://www.sarugby.com/news/Player/pid=23.html André Pretorius] on sarugby.com
* [http://www.genslin.us/bokke/SARugby.html André Pretorius] on genslin.us