André Joubert


André Johan Joubert is a former South African rugby union player, widely known as "The Rolls-Royce of Fullbacks" for his pace, class, and seemingly effortless style. He was capped 34 times at fullback for the Springboks in the 1990s, and amassed 115 test points from 10 tries, 17 penalties and 7 conversions.

1995 Rugby World Cup

Joubert played a major role in the Springboks' success at the 1995 Rugby World Cup held in South Africa, most notably turning in an outstanding performance in the 15-12 win over the All Blacks in the final, despite playing with a broken hand. The quarterfinal almost proved to be the end of Joubert's World Cup when his hand was broken in contact with Western Samoa player George Harder. That same night he went for surgery and spent time in a decompression chamber.

Domestic career

While a student at the University of the Free State, Joubert made his debut for the in 1986. In 1992 he moved to and continued to represent the union, that later was renamed the Sharks, until 1999.
Joubert was first choice fullback for the during the inaugural Super 12 competition in 1996, helping them reach the final against the Auckland Blues. Also, in 1996, he was man of the match against the then, in the Currie Cup final as he scored two tries. Joubert won three Currie Cups: '92, '95 & '96.
He played his last competitive rugby match in the 1999 Currie Cup Final for the against the Gauteng Lions, a match which also saw the final appearances of Gary Teichmann and Ian McIntosh as captain and coach respectively. It was a sad farewell for three of Natal's favourite sons as the Lions lifted the cup with a convincing 32–9 victory.

International career

He made his international debut, aged 25, in 1989 against the World XV in a game the Springboks won 20–19. His final international appearance came in 1997, in a 61–22 demolition of Australia, the Wallabies in Pretoria.

Test history

No.OpponentsResultsPositionPointsDatesVenue
1.World XV20–19Replacement26 Aug 1989Newlands, Cape Town
2.12–19Fullback21 Aug 1993Aussie Stadium, Sydney
3.29–26Fullback5 6 Nov 1993Ferro Carril Oeste Stadium, Buenos Aires
4.15–32Fullback15 4 Jun 1994Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
5.27–9Fullback13 11 Jun 1994Newlands, Cape Town
6.14–22Fullback9 9 July 1994Carisbrook, Dunedin
7.9–13Replacement23 Jul 1994Athletic Park, Wellington
8.18–18Fullback6 Aug 1994Eden Park, Auckland
9.46–26Fullback15 Oct 1994Ellis Park, Johannesburg
10.34–10Fullback9 19 Nov 1994Murrayfield, Edinburgh
11.20–12Fullback5 26 Nov 1994Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
12.27–18Fullback25 May 1995Newlands, Cape Town
13.20–0Fullback3 Jun 1995Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth
14.42–14Fullback10 Jun 1995Ellis Park, Johannesburg
15.19–15Fullback17 Jun 1995Kings Park, Durban
16.15–12Fullback24 Jun 1995Ellis Park, Johannesburg
17.40–11Fullback2 Sep 1995Ellis Park, Johannesburg
18.40–21Fullback12 Nov 1995Stadio Olimpico, Rome
19.24–14Fullback18 Nov 1995Twickenham, London
20.43–18Fullback13 2 Jul 1996Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
21.16–21Fullback3 13 Jul 1996Aussie Stadium, Sydney
22.11–15Fullback5 20 Jul 1996AMI Stadium, Christchurch
23.19–23Fullback17 Aug 1996Kings Park, Durban
24.26–33Fullback24 Aug 1996Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
25.32–22Fullback14 31 Aug 1996Ellis Park, Johannesburg
26.46–15Fullback7 9 Nov 1996Ferro Carril Oeste, Buenos Aires
27.44–21Fullback16 Nov 1996Ferro Carril Oeste, Buenos Aires
28.22–12Fullback5 30 Nov 1996Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux
29.13–12Fullback7 Dec 1996Parc des Princes, Paris
30.37–20Fullback7 15 Dec 1996Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
31.74–10Fullback10 Jun 1997Newlands, Cape Town
32.16–25Fullback21 Jun 1997Newlands, Cape Town
33. British Lions15–18Fullback5 28 Jun 1997Kings Park, Durban
34.61–22Fullback23 Aug 1997Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria

Legend: pen = penalty ; con = conversion, drop = drop kick.

Other accomplishments

He was twice shortlisted for the South African "Player of the Year" award, eventually winning in 1996.
Apart from playing for the Springboks and Sharks he has also played for the following teams: