André Pretorius

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André Pretorius (born 29 December 1978 in Johannesburg, South Africa) is a South African rugby union footballer. His usual position is at fly-half, where he plays for the Lions (formerly known as the Cats) in the international Super 14 competition as well as the Golden Lions in the Currie Cup and the national side, the Springboks. He has also played at fullback. Pretorius has been named the Lions captain for the 2007 Super 14 season.

It was in 2002 that Pretorius made his international debut for the Springboks on June 8. He was 23 and played at fly-half against Wales at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein. The Springboks won 34 to 19, with Pretorius kicking three conversions and one penalty goal. He played in the subsequent 19 to 8 victory over the Welsh. He notched up one try, five conversions and three penalty goals in his third match as a Springbok against Argentina.

After playng in another test against Samoa which he again played a large role with his kicking ability, he was included in the Springboks 2002 Tri Nations Series squad. He played in three of the Tri Nations matches, two against the All Blacks and one against Australia, with South Africa losing all three. He earned a further three caps for the Springboks that year in November against Northern Hemisphere sides, playing matches against France, England and Scotland, which South Africa lost.

He returned to international duties in July of 2003 as a reserve in the 16 to 52 loss against the All Blacks during the 2003 Tri Nations Series. He was moved to fullback for the following match against Australia which the Springboks lost 9 to 29. He next played for the Springboks on July 23, 2005 as fly-half against Australia during the 2005 Tri Nations Series, which the Springboks won 22 to 16, with Pretorius landing a drop goal. He played a fly half for the subsequent matches. He earned another international cap in November in the 34 to 23 in over Argentina in Buenos Aires.

After undergoing major surgery, Pretorius turned out for the Lions in the 2006 Currie Cup season. Putting the surgery setbacks behind him, he guided the Lions to a 74 to 15 win over the Pumas in round seven. Pretorius himself scoring a try, as well as eight conversions and a penalty goal, scoring 24 of the Lions' total 74 points.

Pretorius is known for being a creative flyhalf with a good sidestep, superb vision and good distribution skills in addition to being a reliable goal kicker. However, he has also been criticised for his average defensive skills, which may be down to his small stature.

Pretorius stands 176cm tall and weighs 80kg (5'9", 176lbs).