Pieter Muller

Pieter Gysbert Muller (born 5 May 1969) is a South Africa former international rugby union player. A centre, he was known for his strength and direct running.

Rugby union career As a schoolboy, Muller represented Free State at the Craven Week tournaments in 1987 and 1988 and on both occasions were selected for the SA Schools team. He made his provincial debut for Free State in 1990, after spending some time playing club rugby in Ireland for Greystones R.F.C. In 1992, Muller joined Natal and was a member of the Currie Cup winning team in 1992. He suffered a serious neck injury early in 1995 that required time away from rugby, after which he tried rugby league and spent time in France playing for Toulouse. In 1997, Muller returned to the Sharks and in 2000 he joined Cardiff Blues in Wales.

His first test match for the Springboks was in 1992 against the All Blacks at Ellis Park in Johannesburg and he scored a try on debut. Muller played 33 test matches for the Springboks and was a member of the 1999 World Cup squad. His last test match for South Africa was the third place playoff at the 1999 World Cup against New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Muller also played in 19 tour matches for the Springboks and scored 7 tries.

Test history

No. Opposition Result (SA 1st) Position Tries Date Venue 1. 24–27 Centre 1 15 August 1992 Ellis Park, Johannesburg 2. 3–26 Centre 22 August 1992Newlands, Cape Town 3. 20–15 Centre 17 October 1992 Stade de Gerland, Lyon 4. France 16–29 Centre 24 October 1992 Parc des Princes, Paris 5. 16–33 Centre 14 November 1992 Twickenham, London 6. France 20–20 Centre 26 June 1993 Kings Park, Durban 7. France 17–18 Centre 3 July 1993 Ellis Park, Johannesburg 8. Australia 19–12 Centre 1 31 July 1993 Sydney Football Stadium (SFG), Sydney 9. Australia 20–28 Centre 14 August 1993 Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane 10. Australia 12–19 Centre 21 August 1993 Sydney Football Stadium (SFG), Sydney 11. 29–26 Centre 6 November 1993 Ferrocarril Oeste Stadium, Buenos Aires 12. Argentina 52–23 Centre 13 November 1993 Ferrocarril Oeste Stadium, Buenos Aires 13. England 15–32 Centre 4 June 1994 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 14. England 27–9 Centre 11 June 1994 Newlands, Cape Town 15. New Zealand 14–22 Centre 9 July 1994 Carisbrook, Dunedin 16. 34–10 Centre 19 November 1994 Murrayfield, Edinburgh 17. 20–12 Centre 26 November 1994 Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff 18. 37–13 Centre 13 June 1998 Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein 19. Ireland 33–0 Centre 20 June 1998 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 20. Wales 96–13 Centre 27 June 1998 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 21. England 18–0 Centre 4 July 1998 Newlands, Cape Town 22. Australia 14–13 Centre 18 July 1998 Subiaco Oval, Perth 23. New Zealand 13–3 Centre 25 July 1998 Athletic Park, Wellington 24. New Zealand 24–23 Centre 15 August 1998 Kings Park, Durban 25. Australia 29–15 Centre 29 August 1998 Ellis Park, Johannesburg 26. 74–3 Centre 12 June 1999 Boet Erasmus, Port Elizabeth 27. Wales 19–29 Centre 26 June 1998 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff 28. New Zealand 0–28 Centre 10 July 1999 Carisbrook, Dunedin 29. Australia 6–32 Centre 17 July 1999 Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 30. 47–3 Centre 1 10 October 1999 Murrayfield, Edinburgh 31. England 44–21 Centre 24 October 1999 Stade De France, Paris 32. Australia 21–27 Centre 30 October 1999 Twickenham, London 33. New Zealand 22–18 Centre 4 November 1999 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Rugby league In 1996, Muller also had an unsuccessful stint playing for Australian rugby league side Penrith Panthers, in the Winfield Cup, making only a handful of appearances in the two years of his contract. Muller then returned to South Africa and club rugby before once again representing the Springboks.

Accolades Muller was voted as one of the five Young Players of the Year for 1991, along with Hennie le Roux, Pieter Hendriks, Johan Nel and Jacques Olivier.

Personal He is the brother of Helgard Muller, also former Springboks rugby player. Muller resides in Cape Town (Hout Bay) and is closely involved with the SA Rugby Legends.