Theuns Stofberg

Marthinus Theunis Steyn 'Theuns' Stofberg (6 June 1955 – 23 August 2023) was a South African rugby union player who was captain of the national team for four tests between 1980 and 1984. He is remembered for his speed and his size, both remarkable for a flank at that time.

Test history

No. Opposition Result (SA 1st) Position Tries Date Venue 1. 9–15 Flank 14 August 1976 Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein 2. 15–10 Flank 4 September 1976 Newlands, Cape Town 3. World XV 45–24 Flank 2 27 August 1977 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 4. 24px South American Jaguars 24–9 Flank 26 April 1980 Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg 5. 24px South American Jaguars 18–9 Flank 3 May 1980 Kings Park Stadium, Durban 6. 26–22 Flank 31 May 1980 Newlands, Cape Town 7. British Lions 26–19 Flank 1 14 June 1980 Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein 8. British Lions 12–10 Flank 28 June 1980 Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth 9. British Lions 13–17 Flank 1 12 July 1980 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 10. 24px South American Jaguars 22–13 Flank (c) 1 18 October 1980 Wanderers Club, Montevideo 11. 24px South American Jaguars 30–16 Flank 25 October 1980 Prince of Wales Country Club, Santiago 12. 37–15 Flank 1 8 November 1980 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 13. 23–15 Flank 30 May 1981 Newlands, Cape Town 14. 12–10 Flank 6 June 1981 Kings Park Stadium, Durban 15. 9–14 Flank (c) 15 August 1981 Lancaster Park, Christchurch 16. 24–12 Flank 29 August 1981 Athletic Park, Wellington 17. 38–7 Flank 20 September 1981 Owl Creek Polo ground, Glenville, New York 18. 24px South American Jaguars 50–18 Lock 27 March 1982 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 19. 24px South American Jaguars 12–21 Lock 3 April 1982 Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein 20. 33–15 Flank (c) 2 June 1984 Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth 21. 35–9 Flank (c) 9 June 1984 Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg

Personal life

Stofberg lived in Stellenbosch where he had a physiotherapy practice until 2008, before starting a business to take tour groups abroad. He fell ill while watching a test against England and was diagnosed with eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, causing him to stop practising as a physiotherapist.

Death

Theuns Stofberg died in a traffic collision on 23 August 2023, at the age of 68.