Danie Gerber

Daniël Mattheus Gerber (born 14 April 1958) is a South African former rugby union player who played for South Africa between 1980 and 1992. Widely regarded as one of the greatest rugby players ever and considered by many as the greatest center of all time, he played mainly at inside or outside centre, but also on the wing.

Gerber etched his name into rugby folklore by scoring 158 tries in 261 games in first-class rugby. It's the highest ever strike rate for a centre. For South Africa he scored 19 test tries in 24 appearances. It's the highest ever try-scoring ratio per game for a centre (79.16%) in the history of international rugby. Gerber was the blueprint of Springbok rugby in the 1980s and he is still regarded by many to be the greatest Springbok player ever. In 1981 he scored an individual try against Ireland; his agility and footwork caused 2 Irish players to tackle each other. In 1984 he scored tries against England and in 1992 he scored 2 tries against New Zealand. Despite limited exposure internationally due to apartheid-era isolation, his impact on the game and talent was considered and still today, way ahead of his time. ) He was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2007.

Early life

Gerber initially played football and cricket at school level, but accelerated quickly when starting rugby, playing for SA schools. He said in multiple interviews that he got his incredible footwork and ball control abilities from his early childhood, when he played football with other kids in Despatch. One of his school teachers recognized his abilities and got him into rugby.

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:

In 1980, he played two tests against the South American Jaguars (a team mainly made up of Argentine players but also included a few Uruguayan, Chilean, Paraguayan and Brazilian players) in Montevideo and Santiago. He scored a try in each test. He also played one test against France in Pretoria without scoring any points, and one other test that year. In 1981, he played two tests against Ireland in Cape Town (scoring two tries) and in Durban without scoring points. He also went on the controversial 1981 Springbok Tour of New Zealand, playing in all three tests, (Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland) without scoring any points. He also played the final test of 1981 against the USA in Glenville, without scoring any points. In 1982, he played two tests against the South American Jaguars (again, mainly made up of Argentine players but also included a few Uruguayan, Chilean, Paraguayan and Brazilian players) scoring three tries in Pretoria and one in Bloemfontein. In 1984, he played two tests against England, scoring one try in his hometown, Port Elizabeth and three in Johannesburg. In this series, Gerber played outside South Africa's first ever Black player, Errol Tobias, in the series, and scored three tries in the second Test. Again the South American Jaguars toured South Africa and Gerber scored one try and one conversion in Pretoria and one try in Cape Town. In 1986, the New Zealand Cavaliers (a rebel tour conducted against the wishes of the NZ Rugby Union) toured South Africa, Gerber played in all four 'test' fixtures in Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg and only managed one try in the Pretoria game. In 1992, after a long period of South African rugby isolation, Gerber played his final five test matches vs: New Zealand in Johannesburg scoring two tries, Australia in Cape Town without scoring any points, France in Lyon and Parc des Princes scoring one try in each match. His final test was against England in Twickenham which went without scoring any points.

Test history

No. Opposition Result (SA 1st) Position Points Date Venue 1. 24px South American Jaguars 22–13 Centre 4 (1 try) 18 October 1980 Wanderers Club, Montevideo 2. 24px South American Jaguars 30–16 Centre 4 (1 try) 25 October 1980 Prince of Wales Cricket Club, Santiago 3. 37–15 Centre 8 November 1980 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 4. 23–15 Centre 8 (2 tries) 30 May 1981 Newlands, Cape Town 5. Ireland 12–10 Centre 6 June 1981 Kings Park, Durban 6. 9–14 Centre 15 August 1981 Lancaster Park, Christchurch7. New Zealand 24–12 Centre 29 August 1981 Athletic Park, Wellington 8. New Zealand 22–25 Centre 12 September 1981 Eden Park, Auckland 9. 38–7 Centre 20 September 1981 Owl Creek Polo ground, Glenville, New York 10. 24px South American Jaguars 50–18 Centre 12 (3 tries) 27 March 1982 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 11. 24px South American Jaguars 12–21 Centre 4 (1 try) 3 April 1982 Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein 12. 33 - 15 Centre 4 (1 try) 2 June 1984 Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth 13. England 35 - 9 Centre 12 (3 tries) 9 June 1984 Ellis Park, Johannesburg 14. 24px South American Jaguars 32–15 Centre 6 (1 try, 1 conv.) 20 October 1984 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 15. 24px South American Jaguars 21–13 Centre 4 (1 try) 27 October 1984 Newlands, Cape Town 16. New Zealand Cavaliers 21–15 Centre 10 May 1986 Newlands, Cape Town 17. New Zealand Cavaliers 18–19 Centre 17 May 1986 Kings Park, Durban 18. New Zealand Cavaliers 33–18 Centre 4 (1 try) 24 May 1986 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 19. New Zealand Cavaliers 24–10 Centre 31 May 1986 Ellis Park, Johannesburg 20. 24–27 Centre 10 (2 tries) 15 August 1992 Ellis Park, Johannesburg 21. 3–26 Centre 22 August 1992 Newlands, Cape Town 22. 20–15 Centre 5 (1 try) 17 October 1992 Stade de Gerland, Lyon 23. France16–29 Centre 5 (1 try) 24 October 1992 Parc des Princes, Paris 24. England 16–33 Centre 14 November 1992 Twickenham, London

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

Style of play

Gerber had 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 (catching, passing and kicking). He was also very solid in defence.

Gerber attributed his sidestep to his early football. He trained extensively (particularly running, but also swimming, circuit training and weights) 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 players and considered by many as the greatest centre in the history of the game. Many former and current players admire Gerber's impact on the game and the legacy he left behind. Jean de Villiers former Springboks captain described Gerber as his childhood hero and the best player South Africa has ever produced. Former legendary Scottish commentator Bill McLaren regarded Gerber as the greatest centre the world has ever seen. 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.