Frik du Preez

Frik du Preez
Full name Frederik Christoffel Hendrik du Preez
Date of birth (1935-11-28) 28 November 1935
Place of birth Rustenburg, South Africa
Height 1.89 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight 106 kg (16 st 10 lb)
School Parys High School
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position Lock, flanker
Provincial/State sides
Years Club / team Caps (points)
1958–1971 Northern Transvaal 109
correct as of 2007-12-26.
National team(s)
Years Club / team Caps (points)
1961–1971 South Africa 38 (11)
correct as of 2007-12-26.

Frederik Christoffel Hendrik "Frik" du Preez (born 28 November 1935) is a former South African rugby union player who represented Northern Transvaal and the Springboks. He was born on a farm near Rustenburg and went to school at Parys High School in Parys (Orange Free State). Du Preez mostly played in the flank or lock positions.

Du Preez made his test debut for the Springboks on 7 January 1961 in the flank position against England at Twickenham. He played his last test on 7 August 1971 at the age of 35 as a lock against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Du Preez was an excellent all-round footballer, and like Australian lock John Eales, he was that rare phenomenon: a lock that could kick and even drop kick. Although he was not particularly tall, he was a tower of strength in the line-out. In addition he had a fantastic turn of speed and fine running skills with ball in hand, as he showed in the try he scored against the British Lions in 1968.

As an expression of the esteem that he is held in by South African rugby fans, Du Preez was named the country's rugby player of the 20th century.

External links

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