Pierre Spies

Pierre Johan Spies (born 8 June, 1985 in Pretoria, South Africa) is a South African rugby union player. His usual position is on the flank or at number 8, where he plays for the Vodacom Blue Bulls in the international Super 14 competition. He has represented the Springboks since 2006.

Spies made his Super 12 debut on the against the Brumbies, becoming the youngest player ever to represent the Bulls. After being injured in his first ever Super 12 match, he made his comeback through the the national under-21 league, where he scored nine tries in just six games. He made his debut for the Blue Bulls in 2005 in a match against the Griquas.

Although he plays as a loose forward, he has incredible pace, having been timed at 10.7 seconds over 100m. This is especially impressive considering his size (194cm tall and 111kg); he has played wing for the Bulls when they experienced an injury crisis.

After starring for the U21 Springbok side that played in the U21 Rugby World Cup France last year, Spies made his debut in the Springbok's 49 - 0 drubbing at the hands of Australia in the 2006 Tri Nations. Spies was largely anonymous in that game, however, Springbok coach Jake White picked him again for the home-leg of the tournament. There, Spies turned in two Man of the Match performances, most notably in the win over the All Blacks in Rustenburg, and in the victory over Australia in Durban.

He was widely praised for these performances against world-class oppostion, but unfortunately was injured in a dismal Springbok showing against Ireland on the end of year tour. This injury ruled him out for the rest of the tour, as well as much of the 2007 Super 14 competition, but has since made his comeback for the Vodacom Blue Bulls in their 49 - 12 victory over Southern rivals the Vodacom Stormers.

Spies was believed to be a certainty for Jake White's squad for the 2007 Rugby World Cup to be played in France in September, and his selection was confirmed on July 21. However, nine days later, he was forced to withdraw from the World Cup squad after blood clots were found in his lungs. He will be out of action until early in 2008. However, after check up with another health expert, it had been said that Spies may return to the World Cup squad if a third opinion is positive. [cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/6923349.stm |title=Springbok Spies to miss World Cup |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2007-07-30 |accessdate=2007-07-31] The third opinion confirmed the original diagnosis, and Spies remained off the team. [cite web|url=http://www.sarugby.co.za/default.asp?des=article&id=225336 |title=SA Rugby Statement on Pierre Spies |publisher=South African Rugby Union |date=2007-08-14 |accessdate=2007-08-14] He returned to the Springboks' team for the 2008 June internationals against Wales.

Notes and references

External links

*Springboks|id=33681|name=Pierre Spies
* [http://www.sarugby.com/news/Player/pid=447.html Pierre Spies] on sarugby.com
* [http://www.sarugby.com/news/Stats_Centre/catid=19/pid=447.html Pierre Spies] Super 14 Stats
* [http://www.sarugby.com/news/Stats_Centre/catid=14/pid=447.html Pierre Spies] Tri-Nations Stats
* [http://www.bluebulls.co.za/profiles.asp?Id=143&cl=yes Pierre Spies] on bluebulls.co.za
* [http://2rugby.com/2005/03/09/pierre-spies-to-debut-for-the-bulls/ Pierre Spies to debut for the Bulls]