Juandré Kruger

Juandré Kruger (born 6 September 1985) is a South African professional Rugby union footballer, contracted to Rugby Club Toulon in the French Top 14. His preferred position is at Lock although he has also played in the back row.

Juandré Kruger
Full namePetrus Johannes Juandré Kruger
Date of birth (1985-09-06) 6 September 1985
Place of birthCape Town, South Africa
Height1.99 m (6 ft 6+1⁄2 in)
Weight114 kg (17 st 13 lb; 251 lb)
SchoolPaul Roos Gymnasium
UniversityStellenbosch University
Occupation(s)Professional Rugby Player & Business Person
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock
Youth career
2004–2006 Western Province
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2007 Western Province 5 (10)
2008 Blue Bulls 18 (10)
2008–2010 Northampton Saints 53 (15)
2010–2013 Blue Bulls 33 (35)
2011–2013 Bulls 31 (5)
2013–2016 Racing Métro 92 42 (15)
2016–2019 Toulon 67 (10)
2019 Scarlets 4 (0)
2020 Bulls 4 (0)
Correct as of 28 April 2021
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012–present South Africa 17 (0)
Correct as of 6 October 2013

Career

Early provincial career in South Africa

He is widely regarded as one of the best up-and-coming second-row forward prospects in South African rugby.[1] He started his career off at Western Province, representing them in the 2007 Vodacom Cup. From there he moved to Blue Bulls, competing for them in the 2008 Vodacom Cup. He also featured for the Blue Bulls in the 2008 Currie Cup, at times being preferred to Springbok internationals Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha.[1] Kruger was an unused replacement in the Final of the 2008 Currie Cup, against the Sharks.[2]

Northampton Saints

Kruger then made the move to Northampton Saints.[1] He enjoyed a successful partnership with Carlos Ignacio Fernández Lobbe. In his first season at the club, he won the ECC.[3] In his second and final season, he featured in the Heineken Cup,[4] played in a Guinness Premiership Semi Final[5] and won the Anglo-Welsh Cup.[6]

Return to The Bulls

Kruger re-joined the Blue Bulls in 2010.[7]

Racing Metro

In 2013 Kruger made the move with his family to Paris joining Top 14 club Racing 92[8]

Springboks

On 2 June 2012, Juandré Kruger was called up to the Springbok squad for the first time for the inbound series against England.[9] This was his first National selection. On 6 June, it was announced by Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer that Kruger would start at lock (number 5) for the first test of the series against England in Durban on 9 June 2012 . This would mark Kruger's debut for South Africa.[10] With South Africa running out 22-17 victors in the first test Kruger had made a good start to the series. He played all three matches. In the second game South Africa won 36-27 thanks to a late try from Pietersen but were held to a 14–14 draw in the final test.

Honours

France Racing 92

References
  1. "Saints make double South African signing". Northampton Saints Website. 6 October 2008. Archived from the original on 27 February 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2009.
  2. "Sharks claim Currie Cup triumph". ESPN Scrum. 25 October 2008. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  3. "Northampton 15–3 Bourgoin". BBC Sport. 22 May 2009. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  4. "Munster 33–19 Northampton". BBC Sport. 10 April 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  5. "Northampton 19–21 Saracens". BBC Sport. 16 May 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  6. "Northampton 30–24 Gloucester". BBC Sport. 21 March 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  7. "Juandré Kruger to leave Northampton Saints for Bulls". BBC Sport. 2 February 2010. Retrieved 2 July 2010.
  8. "Racing Metro complete deal for Bulls second row Juandre Kruger". Sky Sports. 12 December 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2015.
  9. "Springbok squad named". Sport24. 2 June 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  10. Gavin Rich (6 June 2012). "Boks to start with three new caps". SuperSport.com. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
  11. "Racing 92 beat Toulon to win Top 14 Rugby title". rugbyweek.com. 25 June 2016. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
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