Ruben Kruger
South Africa
player portrait
Full name Ruben Jacobus Kruger
Born March 30, 1970, Vrede
Died January 27, 2010, Pretoria (aged 39 years 303 days)
Major teams Blue Bulls, Free State, South Africa
Position Flanker
Height 6 ft 2 in
Weight 224 lb

Test career
Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop Won Lost Draw %
All Tests 1993-1999 36 34 2 35 7 0 0 0 25 11 0 69.44
IRB Rugby World Cup 1995-1999 7 6 1 5 1 0 0 0 7 0 0 100
The Rugby Championship 1996-1999 9 8 1 5 1 0 0 0 2 7 0 22.22

Career statistics
Test debut Argentina v South Africa at Buenos Aires, Nov 6, 1993 match details
Last Test New Zealand v South Africa at Millennium Stadium, Nov 4, 1999 match details
Test Statsguru Main menu | Career summary | Match list | Most points | Most tries | Tournament list
Profile

Kruger was a tough, committed flanker who helped South Africa to their famous victory at the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa.

Having made his Test debut in 1993 against Argentina, Kruger was in prime form during the tournament and scored a controversial try in the semi-final victory over France in Durban. In the final he started alongside skipper Francois Pienaar and Mark Andrews in the back-row, beating the All Blacks to claim South Africa's first World Cup title.

At club level he was a servant of Free State and Northern Transvaal, now Blue Bulls, and he retired after the 1999 World Cup following a series of knee injuries.

In 2000 he was diagnosed with cancer after blacking out during a game and fought the disease for a number of years. In 2010 he died after losing his battle, aged 39.

Latest Articles
Rest in peace (Dec 29, 2010) The silent assassin (Mar 29, 2010) Former Springbok Kruger dies (Jan 28, 2010) McGeechan considering Super 14 (Jun 29, 2009) South Africa triumph over France and the elements (Jun 17, 1900)
Latest Photos
Jun 14, 1997
Ruben Kruger
Ruben Kruger
©  Getty Images
Dec 15, 1996
South Africa flanker Ruben Kruger watches play
South Africa flanker Ruben Kruger watches play
©  PA Photos
Jun 24, 1995
South Africa flanker Ruben Kruger looks for support
South Africa flanker Ruben Kruger looks for support
©  PA Photos

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