Frik du Preez

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Frik du Preez (born Frederick Christoffel Hendrik du Preez on 28 November 1935) is a former Northern Transvaal and Springboks Rugby Union player. He was born in the town of Rustenburg, South Africa and went to school at the Parys High School in Parys (Orange Free State). Du Preez mostly played in the flank or lock positions.

Du Preez played his first test for the Boks on 7 January 1961 at the age of 25 in the flank position against England at Twickenham, London. He played his last test on 7 August 1971 at the age of 35 as lock against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney.

Du Preez was an all round footballer, and like Australian lock John Eales, he was that rare phenomena: A lock that could kick and even drop kick. Although he was not particularly tall, he was a tower of strength in the lineout. 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 expression of the esteem that he is held in by South African rugby fans, he was named the country's rugby player of the twentieth century.