Joe van Niekerk

Johann "Joe" van Niekerk (born 14 May 1980 in Port Elizabeth) is a South African rugby union player, who generally plays either as a flanker or number 8. He currently plays for Lions in Super 14.

After starring for the South Africa Schools, under-19, and under-21 sides, and captaining at all three levels, he received the rare honor of being called up to the Springboks directly from the U21 side in 2001, before ever playing a game in the Currie Cup or Super 12.He made his debut against New Zealand in Cape Town.

Van Niekerk has had injury troubles throughout his senior-level career; however, when healthy, he is generally considered to be competitive with virtually any back-row player. He scored important tries for the Boks in home wins over the Wallabies of Australia in the 2002 and 2004 Tri Nations. More recently, he has been frequently used as an "impact player" off the bench, especially in the 2005 Tri Nations.

In 2002 he was voted the South African "Player of the Year". He was a surprise choice to start at No. 8 in the first match of the 2008 Tri Nations against the All Blacks in Wellington, New Zealand.

Due to his consistent injury problems, he was released by Northampton Saints in late 2007 as there were fears over his physical shape.

He has represented the following teams:
* South African Schools 1997-1998
* South Africa U19 1998
* South Africa U21 2000/2001
* South African Sevens 2001
* Gauteng Lions U21 1998-2001
* Gauteng Lions 2001 - ? (? caps)
* Cats Super 12 Team 2003 - ? (? caps)
* Stormers Super 14 Team
* Western Province
* South Africa Springboks
* Northampton Saints (contract was terminated before arrival)
* Lions

External links

*Springboks|id=19893|name=Joe van Niekerk