Andre Markgraaff

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Andre Markgraaff
President of Griqualand West Rugby Union
In office
1992–1996
Preceded byBauser, R.S.
Succeeded bySmith, T.
Birth nameAndries Thomas Markgraaff
Date of birth (1956-12-23) 23 December 1956 (age 67)
SchoolDiamantveld High School
UniversityPotchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
0 Western Transvaal ()
- Western Province ()
- Griqualand West ()
South West Africa ()
Coaching career
Years Team
1988–1990 Griqualand West
1996 Springboks
1998–2005 Cats

Andries Thomas "Andre" Markgraaff (born 23 December 1956)[1] is a retired South African rugby union lock. He matriculated at Diamantveld High School and was a controversial national coach, who resigned after he was taped using the racial term kaffir.[2][3][4]

Playing career[edit]

Markgraaff was selected for the South African team in 1986 against the Cavaliers but as an unused substitute. Markgraaff also represented Western Transvaal, Western Province, Griqualand West and the then South West Africa[5] in 20 games. He captained the South African Barbarians on a tour to Europe and the Junior Springboks.

Coaching[edit]

In 1988, he became coach of Griqualand West. He became president of Griquas in 1991.[5]

In 1996, Markgraaff was appointed as the Springbok rugby coach. In 1997 Markgraaff was forced to quit after his controversial racial statements,[6] when he referred to a black senior rugby administrator Mluleki George as a "kaffir".[7] In his apology, Markgraaff said

"I'm not making any excuses. I was very emotional at the time. I apologise to the black people of this country and to the whites for causing them embarrassment."[4]

During his short reign the Springboks won eight and lost five tests.

In 1998, Markgraaff took the Griquas to victory in the Vodacom Cup and then to the semifinals of the Currie Cup, losing by 11–27 to the Western Province.[8] He also coached the Cats in Super Rugby and was a founder of the PUK Rugby Institute.

Markgraaff made a comeback in rugby administration and was the Deputy President of SARFU and the convener of SARFU's technical committee.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Andre Markgraaff rugby profile Scrum.com
  2. ^ "School profile Diamantveld". Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  3. ^ Black, David Ross; Nauright, John (1998). Rugby and the South African Nation: Sport, Cultures, Politics, and Power in the Old and New South Africas. ISBN 9780719049323.
  4. ^ a b "SA rugby coach quits over racist outburst". The Independent. 19 February 1997. Archived from the original on 7 November 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2018.
  5. ^ a b "www.rugby365.com | schools | school profiles HOËRSKOOL DIAMANTVELD". Archived from the original on 16 June 2011. Retrieved 11 March 2010.
  6. ^ South Africa colour future without Jake White Times Online, 21 October 2007
  7. ^ "US". The Independent. Retrieved 9 January 2018.[dead link]
  8. ^ Griquas and Cheetahs meet in pick of the Currie Cup action Scrum.com, 20 July 2005
Sporting positions
Preceded by South Africa National Rugby Union Coach
1996–1996
Succeeded by