André Pretorius

This article is about the rugby player. For the musician, see André Pretorius (musician).

Andre Pretorius

Full name	André Stefan Pretorius
Date of birth	29 December 1978 (1978-12-29)
Place of birth	Johannesburg, South Africa
Height	1.76 m (5 ft 9 1⁄2 in)
Weight	91 kg (14 st 5 lb)
School	Hoërskool Dinamika
University	Rand Afrikaans University
Occupation(s)	Professional rugby union footballer
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position	Fly-half
Provincial/State sides
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
1999-2009	Golden Lions	46	(531)
correct as of 7 May 2010.
Super Rugby
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
2002-2009 2009-2011	Lions Western Force		(645)
Current local club	RC Toulonnais
correct as of 7 May 2010.
National team(s)
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
2002-	South Africa	31	(171)
correct as of 4 December 2011.

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 is currently under contract at RC Toulonnais in the French Top 14. 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 has also played at fullback.

Career

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 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.

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 23 July 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 at fly-half in the subsequent matches. He earned another international cap in November in the 34-23 win 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.

In 2007, he returned to the national side and became Jake White's 2nd choice fly half to Butch James, playing an extensive reserve role in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, playing as a replacement in the final which South Africa won 15-6 against England.

On 19 June 2009, Perth-based Super Rugby franchise the Western Force announced Pretorius as its international marquee-signing for the forthcoming season.

During the 2010 Super 14 season he returned to the Lions in South Africa.

In May 2011 he signed up with French club Toulon.

External links

• André Pretorius at SARugby.co.za
• André Pretorius on sarugby.com
• André Pretorius on genslin.us