Joe van Niekerk
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Johann "Joe" van Niekerk (born 14 May 1980 in Port Elizabeth) is a South African rugby player, who generally plays either as a flanker or number 8. He currently plays for the Stormers in the Super 14 and Western Province in the Currie Cup.
After starring for the South Africa Schools, under-19, and under-21 sides, and captaining at all three levels, he received the rare honor of being called up to the Springboks directly from the U21 side in 2001, before ever playing a game in the Currie Cup or Super 12.
Van Niekerk has had injury troubles throughout his senior-level career; however, when healthy, he is generally considered to be competitive with virtually any back-row player. He scored important tries for the Boks in home wins over the Wallabies of Australia in the 2002 and 2004 Tri Nations. More recently, he has been frequently used as an "impact player" off the bench, especially in the 2005 Tri Nations.
Joe van Niekerk in 2007 is expected to sign for Northamption Saints on a Salary of £200,000 a year but now is having second thoughts due to Northamptons League position.
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| South Africa squad - 2003 Rugby World Cup | ||
|---|---|---|
| Forwards: | Bands • Bezuidenhout • Boome • Botha • Burger • Coetzee • Krige (c) • Matfield • van Niekerk • Rautenbach • Rossouw • Santon • Scholtz • Sephaka • Smit • Smith |  |
| Backs: | Barry • Delport • Fourie • Greeff • Hougaard • de Kock • Koen • Loubscher • Muller • Paulse • Terblanche • van der Westhuizen • van der Westhuyzen • Willemse | |
| Coach: | Straeuli | |
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