Danie Gerber


Danie Gerber is a former South African rugby union player, who played for South Africa between 1980 and 1992. He played mainly at inside or outside centre, but also on the wing.
His international career was severely limited because of South Africa's sporting isolation caused by apartheid.
He won only 24 caps for South Africa, despite playing internationally for 12 years. However despite this, in 2007 he was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame.

Early life

Gerber initially played football and cricket at school level, but accelerated quickly when starting rugby, playing for SA schools.

Rugby career

In South African domestic rugby Gerber played 115 games for Eastern Province, 40 for Western Province and 24 for Orange Free State.
Gerber's international career of games played and Points scored:
No.OppositionResult PositionPointsDateVenue
1. South American Jaguars22–13Centre4 18 October 1980Wanderers Club, Montevideo
2. South American Jaguars30–16Centre4 25 October 1980Prince of Wales Cricket Club, Santiago
3.37–15Centre8 November 1980Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
4.23–15Centre8 30 May 1981Newlands, Cape Town
5. Ireland12–10Centre6 June 1981Kings Park, Durban
6.9–14Centre15 August 1981Lancaster Park, Christchurch
7. New Zealand24–12Centre29 August 1981Athletic Park, Wellington
8. New Zealand22–25Centre12 September 1981Eden Park, Auckland
9.38–7Centre20 September 1981Owl Creek Polo ground, Glenville, New York
10. South American Jaguars50–18Centre12 27 March 1982Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
11. South American Jaguars12–21Centre4 3 April 1982Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
12.33 - 15Centre4 2 June 1984Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth
13. England35 - 9Centre12 9 June 1984Ellis Park, Johannesburg
14. South American Jaguars32–15Centre6 20 October 1984Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
15. South American Jaguars21–13Centre4 27 October 1984Newlands, Cape Town
16.New Zealand Cavaliers21–15Centre10 May 1986Newlands, Cape Town
17.New Zealand Cavaliers18–19Centre17 May 1986Kings Park, Durban
18.New Zealand Cavaliers33–18Centre4 24 May 1986Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
19.New Zealand Cavaliers24–10Centre31 May 1986Ellis Park, Johannesburg
20. New Zealand24–27Centre10 15 August 1992Ellis Park, Johannesburg
21.3–26Centre22 August 1992Newlands, Cape Town
22. France20–15Centre5 17 October 1992Stade de Gerland, Lyon
23. France16–29Centre5 24 October 1992Parc des Princes, Paris
24. England16–33Centre14 November 1992Twickenham, London

Gerber scored 19 tries in 24 internationals, a very high strike rate for a centre.

Style of play

Gerber had very high acceleration and pace, could sidestep off either foot, break tackles, had a clear vision of space on the field, and high ball skill levels. He was also very solid in defence.
Gerber attributed his sidestep to his early football. He trained extensively and had a high fitness level, which were unusual attributes before rugby went professional.

Legacy

Gerber has been described as one of the greatest ever rugby centres. He has been named South Africa's greatest ever centre, and Naas Botha has said he is one of the greatest ever South African rugby players. Martin Johnson named him in his International Rugby Hall of Fame member's XV, and Bill McLaren's named him in his 'all time' XV.

Personal life

Gerber is married to Elsabe.
In 2002 he had heart surgery, and his family have a pattern of high cholesterol.