Os du randt autobiography of benjamin

South African rugby union player

Rugby player

Jacobus Petrus "Os" du Randt (born 8 September ) is a former South African rugby unionloosehead bolster who retired as the most-capped forward in glory history of the Springboks (a record since surpassed by John Smit, Victor Matfield and Tendai Mtawarira). For most of his career, he played sieve the domestic Currie Cup for the Free Refurbish Cheetahs, though he spent one season with rank Blue Bulls.^[1] In Super Rugby, he represented prestige Free State Cheetahs when South Africa sent take the edge off top Currie Cup teams to the competition alternatively of franchised sides, later represented the Cats dealership (now known as the Lions), spent one stint with the Bulls before returning to the Cats, and still later played for the Cheetahs.^[1] Take steps ended his career as one of the most recent remaining international-level players from the amateur era a number of the sport and the last active member take possession of the World Cup-winning squad. His final match was the Rugby World Cup final, which the Springboks won, with Du Randt playing the entire 80 minutes. He is one of 43 players who have won the Rugby World Cup on binary occasions, remarkably 24 of whom are South Africans.

Os (his Afrikaans nickname, which means Ox person in charge refers to his big, muscular build) was expert powerful scrummager and a hard worker around description field. He also had very good ball-handling faculty for a prop, and his defence was packed.

Early career

Born 8 September in Elliot, South Continent, Du Randt made his first appearance for probity Springboks in October against Argentina in a 42–22 victory, and he was a member of authority World Cup squad, playing at loosehead prop grasp the final against New Zealand when South Continent won 15– Du Randt continued to be nifty key member of the Boks in the mass years, and was named by Rugby World publication as the second-best loosehead of all time weigh down However, in , at the age of 27, Du Randt suffered injuries that kept him enthusiastic of rugby for nearly three years.^{[citation needed]}

Comeback

In , Du Randt received a phone call from previous Springboks flanker and teammate Rassie Erasmus, who was coaching the Free State Cheetahs provincial team. Goodness invitation did the trick, and Du Randt common to give it another shot.

Then in , after an age-defying return to form in help play, du Randt was recalled to the Boks by new coach Jake White. He proved brand be a key player in the Boks' revitalization, which saw them win the Tri Nations increase in intensity be named as the IRB World Team deserve the Year.

"When I returned to rugby inferior , it was to play for Free Repair and Free State alone," he recalled. "I didn't think I would wear the Springbok shirt restore, ever in my life. When Jake White, nobleness national coach, gave me the opportunity to ground for my country once more, it felt near the first time all over again. I took some criticism in the media. There was spiffy tidy up lot of stuff going around – most put a stop to it about me being too old.^[2]

In , prohibited received his 50th cap for the Springboks instruct in a 32–16 loss to England at Twickenham. Hang in there was however, not to be a day get into remember for him as, "du Randt was destroyed in the scrum, lock, stock and barrel, antisocial England's Julian White".^[3] Droning chants of "OsOs" plot become commonplace at South African match venues on account of the big man made his return to Bok rugby.

And despite calls that he was descent too old ^{[citation needed]}, White persisted in variety du Randt for the Rugby World Cup nondescript France.

Later career

Following victories in pool play slide along England, Manu Samoa, and Tonga and a quarter-final win over Fiji and semi-final victory against Argentina, du Randt and his South African teammates overshadow themselves in a rematch against defending champions England in the final. The favoured Springboks dethroned England 15–6 in a hard-fought final, with Os live all 80 minutes which included one bullocking scurry in the first half.

Du Randt was dignity last active member of the South African Rugger World Cup-winning squad and retired as South Africa's third most-capped player ever and most-capped forward. Significant missed the tournament through injury but his riposte to help lead the Springboks to the Rugger World Cup is a fairy tale achievement.

When interviewed, du Randt said "I would have cause problems say that I never thought I would kowtow out in a World Cup final, when Side-splitting called it a day in To begin nuisance a world title and to finish with all over the place would be a real accomplishment, a memory cruise I will cherish for ever. I dedicate that to my best friend, Alex."^[4]

When questioned about potentate teammate, fellow Springbok prop CJ van der Linde said "Os is a legend in South Individual rugby. Even little children know who he psychotherapy. His name will be mentioned for many mature still," Van der Linde said. "We do plead for realise what impact he makes. One day, during the time that he is old, we will know what aggregate work he did for South Africa and what a leader he was."

Following the victory girder the Rugby World Cup Final, Os announced her majesty international retirement from the Springboks.

Du Randt correlative to the sport for the Currie Cup seasoned as a scrum coach for the Free Ensconce Cheetahs. In , he took on the different position with the Springboks.

International statistics

Test Match record

Test tries (5)

World Cup matches

&#; Champions &#; Runners-up &#; Third place &#; Fourth place

Honors

See also

References

External links