Breyton Paulse

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Breyton Paulse (born 25 April 1976 in Koue Bokkeveld) is a South African rugby player who has played at wing for the national team, the Springboks, since 1999.

By the time Paulse was entering secondary school, apartheid was being dismantled, meaning that his status as Coloured would have no effect on his rugby aspirations. However, his size proved to be a major concern; at his adult size of 1.78 m, 80 kg (5'10", 180 lb), he was thought to be too small to play top-flight rugby. Despite his size, his tremendous speed (he was a former South Africa Schools champion at 200 and 400 m) ensured that he would receive a serious look from selectors at all levels.

Paulse garnered attention almost from the start of his top-flight rugby career with a hat-trick of tries in his first Currie Cup match in 1996, and eventually made his first Springboks appearance in 1999. In his first appearance for the Springboks against Italy, he scored a hat-trick.

As of August 7, 2005, he has amassed 54 appearances for the Springboks, placing him in the top seven all-time for Springboks caps, and scored 22 tries. Perhaps his most notable Springboks match was a two-try performance against Australia in the 2002 Tri Nations. In the Currie Cup, playing mainly for Western Province, he has averaged nearly a try a match.

Paulse will move to France for the 2005–06 season and play for Clermont Auvergne in the Top 14. He will remain eligible for Springboks selection, as SA Rugby has abandoned its past policy of requiring that Springboks players play domestic rugby in South Africa. Springboks coach Jake White indeed selected him for the 2005 Tri Nations, and started him in South Africa's first three matches. Paulse scored an important try in South Africa's series-opening 22-16 win over Australia. However, in the Springboks' third match (at Australia), Paulse received a three-week suspension for kicking Australian prop Al Baxter.

In the seasons of 1997 and 1998, Paulse was predominantly playing fullback. Paulse became comfortable at wing and developed into a fine player, using his blistering pace to score many tries.

[edit] External links

• Breyton Paulse at SARugby.co.za
• South Africa caps, Part 1 (sporting-heroes.net)
• South Africa caps, Part 2 (sporting-heroes.net)
• South Africa caps, Part 3 (sporting-heroes.net)