{{short description|South Africa international rugby league & England international rugby union player}} {{Use South African English|date=August 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox rugby biography | name = Michael Horak | image = | caption = | birth_name = Michael John Horak | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1977|6|3|df=y}} | birth_place = Johannesburg, South Africa | death_date = | death_place = | school = Grey College | university = | height = {{height|ft=6|in=3}} | weight = {{convert|92|kg|stlb|abbr=on}} | ru_position = Fullback, Wing | repteam1 = England Saxons | repteam2 = England | repyears1 = 2002 | repyears2 = 2002 | repcaps2 = 1 | reppoints2 = 0 | ru_ntupdate = 22 June 2002 | years1 = 1997–1999 | clubs1 = Leicester Tigers | years2 = 1999 | clubs2 = Bristol | years3 = 1999–2007 | clubs3 = London Irish | years4 = 2007–2009 | clubs4 = Treviso | years5 = 2009–2010 | clubs5 = Saracens | apps1 = 25 | points1 = 50 | apps2 = 3 | points2 = 22 | apps3 = 107 | points3 = 110 | apps4 = 19 | points4 = 30 | apps5 = 1 | points5 = 0 | ru_clubupdate = 8 November 2009 | coachyears1 = 2010–2014 | coachyears2 = 2013–2014 | coachyears3 = 2014 | coachyears4 = 2015–present | coachteams1 = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}} ''(defensive coach)'' | coachteams2 = {{Rut|UFS Shimlas}} | coachteams3 = {{Rut|Eastern Province Kings}} ''(defensive coach)'' | coachteams4 = {{Rut|Sharks}} ''(defensive coach)'' | ru_coachupdate = 23 November 2014 | module = {{infobox rugby league biography | embed = yes | position = {{Rlp|FB}} | teamA = South Africa | yearAstart = | appearancesA = | pointsA = | year1start = 1997 | club1 = Perth Reds | appearances1 = | points1 = }} }}
'''Michael John Horak''' (born 3 June 1977) is a South African former rugby union and rugby league footballer who played in the 1990s, 2000s and 2010s, and rugby union coach. He represented South Africa in rugby league, and played one game for England in rugby union. He last played at fullback or wing for Saracens.
==Background== Michael Horak was born in Johannesburg, South Africa.
==Career==
===Playing career===
After playing for the Free State Schools Craven Week side in 1995 and the Free State U21s in 1996 he moved to Australia to play rugby league, and played for the Perth Reds.<ref name="England devise new plan to snare Pumas">{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/3029749/England-devise-new-plan-to-snare-Pumas.html|title=England devise new plan to snare Pumas|work= The Daily Telegraph|date=20 June 2002|access-date=29 December 2009 | location=London | first=Mick | last=Cleary}}</ref> He has also played for South Africa, including at the 1997 Super League World Nines.<ref name="London Irish profile">{{cite web|url=http://www.london-irish.com/PlayerDisplaySS.ink?skip=23&season=01/02&squadno=3493&seasonl=2001/2002&Playertype=p|title=London Irish profile|publisher=London Irish official site|date=30 June 2007|access-date=29 December 2009|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110614080842/http://www.london-irish.com/PlayerDisplaySS.ink?skip=23&season=01%2F02&squadno=3493&seasonl=2001%2F2002&Playertype=p|archive-date=14 June 2011}}</ref>
Horak was signed by Bob Dwyer for the Leicester Tigers in 1997<ref name="England's super 12: Club-by-club guide to the Allied Dunbar Premiership">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-englands-super-12-clubbyclub-guide-to-the-allied-dunbar-premiership-1245791.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220512/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-englands-super-12-clubbyclub-guide-to-the-allied-dunbar-premiership-1245791.html |archive-date=12 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=England's super 12: Club-by-club guide to the Allied Dunbar Premiership|work= The Independent|date=17 August 1997|access-date=29 December 2009 | location=London | first=Paul | last=Trow}}</ref> and became Leicester's first-choice full back, replacing the retiring John Liley and ahead of Fijian international Waisale Serevi. He also played for the England U21 side. However, he dropped to third choice after Tiger's signing of Tim Stimpson and Geordan Murphy.
Horak subsequently followed Dwyer to Bristol<ref name="Bristol promoted in top drawer fashion">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-bristol-promoted-in-top-drawer-fashion-1092732.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220512/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-union-bristol-promoted-in-top-drawer-fashion-1092732.html |archive-date=12 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|title=Bristol promoted in top drawer fashion|work= The Independent|date=10 May 1999|access-date=29 December 2009 | location=London | first=Chris | last=Hewett}}</ref> before signing for London Irish in 1999. He left Irish in 2000 but re-signed in 2001.<ref name="London Irish profile"/>
He started in the 2002 Powergen Cup Final at Twickenham, scoring a try as London Irish defeated the Northampton Saints.<ref name="Exiles claim Cup glory">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/english/1937800.stm|title=Exiles claim Cup glory|publisher=BBC|date=20 April 2002|access-date=29 December 2009}}</ref>
His solitary England cap came during the tour of Argentina, on 22 June 2002 at the Estadio José Amalfitani.<ref name="Argentina beaten by England youngsters">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/2060216.stm|title=Argentina beaten by England youngsters|publisher=BBC|date=22 June 2002|access-date=29 December 2009}}</ref> He qualifies for England via his English mother.<ref name="England devise new plan to snare Pumas"/>
After spending two seasons with Benetton Treviso, Horak signed with Saracens for the 2009–10 season<ref name="Trio to join Saracens for new campaign">{{cite web|url=http://www.saracens.com/news/view.php?Id=5263|title=Trio to join Saracens for new campaign|publisher=Saracens official site|date=14 April 2009|access-date=29 December 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618032750/http://www.saracens.com/news/view.php?Id=5263|archive-date=18 June 2009}}</ref> but announced his retirement with immediate effect in January 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saracens.com/news/view.php?Id=5719|title=Saracens announce retirement of Michael Horak|date=6 January 2010|publisher=Saracens.com|access-date=6 January 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615141309/http://www.saracens.com/news/view.php?Id=5719|archive-date=15 June 2011}}</ref> He is a tall player with a big left boot.<ref name="Chesney departs in Toulon switch">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/my_club/saracens/7999599.stm|title=BBC report on signing|publisher=BBC|date=15 April 2009|access-date=29 December 2009}}</ref>
===Coaching career===
In 2010, {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}} head coach Naka Drotské appointed Horak as the defence coach and head of the Cheetahs academy prior to the 2010 Currie Cup Premier Division competition.<ref name="Vrystaat-lakwerk teen Haaie getoets">{{cite web | url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/2010/07/27/VB/20/jtdefenceB101.html | title=Vrystaat-lakwerk teen Haaie getoets | publisher=Beeld | work=Media24 | date=27 July 2010 | access-date=3 January 2014 | language=Afrikaans | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103140629/http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/2010/07/27/VB/20/jtdefenceB101.html | archive-date=3 January 2014}}</ref> He became the general manager of the team in 2011<ref name="Os brei VS-agttal">{{cite web | url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/2011/06/22/VB/20/helgardtemplate-B1-01.html | title=Os brei VS-agttal | publisher=Beeld | work=Media24 | date=22 June 2011 | access-date=3 January 2014 | language=Afrikaans | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103140810/http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/2011/06/22/VB/20/helgardtemplate-B1-01.html | archive-date=3 January 2014}}</ref> and also helped out as defensive coach at the {{Rut|Griffons}} in 2011.<ref name="Perses toets Bul-diepte">{{cite web | url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/2011/07/10/SK/20/jdjgriffonsbul.html | title=Perses toets Bul-diepte | publisher=Beeld | work=Media24 | date=10 July 2011 | access-date=3 January 2014 | language=Afrikaans | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103141004/http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/2011/07/10/SK/20/jdjgriffonsbul.html | archive-date=3 January 2014}}</ref>
At the end of 2012, he relinquished his role as general manager at the {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}} to take over as director of rugby as well as head coach at Varsity Cup side {{Rut|UFS Shimlas}} prior to the 2013 Varsity Cup competition,<ref name="Hawies VRU se hoof van rugbysake">{{cite web | url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/2012/11/07/VB/33/jthawer-B1-01.html | title=Hawies VRU se hoof van rugbysake | publisher=Beeld | work=Media24 | date=7 November 2011 | access-date=3 January 2014 | language=Afrikaans | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140103141059/http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/2012/11/07/VB/33/jthawer-B1-01.html | archive-date=3 January 2014}}</ref> but still continued as Cheetahs defensive coach.
At the start of 2014, it was announced that he signed a five-year contract to join the {{Rut|Eastern Province Kings}} as defensive coach, following the completion of Shimlas' 2014 Varsity Cup campaign.<ref name="Horak to join Eastern Province Rugby in 2014">{{cite press release|url=http://www.easternprovincerugby.com/news/horak-to-join-eastern-province-rugby-in-2014 |title=Horak to join Eastern Province Rugby in 2014 |publisher=Eastern Province Rugby Union |date=3 January 2014 |access-date=3 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104031834/http://www.easternprovincerugby.com/news/horak-to-join-eastern-province-rugby-in-2014 |archive-date=4 January 2014 }}</ref> However, he spent just one season in Port Elizabeth before joining the {{Rut|Sharks}} for the 2015 season.<ref name="Horak and Kings part ways">{{cite press release | url=http://www.eprugby.co.za/horak-and-kings-part-ways/ | title=Horak and Kings part ways | publisher=Eastern Province Kings | date=17 November 2014 | access-date=23 November 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141130012901/http://www.eprugby.co.za/horak-and-kings-part-ways/ | archive-date=30 November 2014}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://web.archive.org/web/20091125230153/http://www.saracens.com/news/first-team-squad/view.php?Id=285 Saracens profile] *{{ESPNscrum|13990}} *{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20110614080842/http://www.london-irish.com/PlayerDisplaySS.ink?skip=23&season=01%2F02&squadno=3493&seasonl=2001%2F2002&Playertype=p London Irish profile]}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Horak, Michael}} Category:1977 births Category:Living people Category:20th-century South African sportsmen Category:21st-century South African sportsmen Category:Alumni of Grey College, Bloemfontein Category:Benetton Rugby players Category:Bristol Bears players Category:Dual-code rugby internationals Category:England international rugby union players Category:Expatriate rugby league players in Australia Category:Expatriate rugby union players in Italy Category:Leicester Tigers players Category:London Irish players Category:Rugby league fullbacks Category:Rugby league players from Gauteng Category:Rugby union fullbacks Category:Rugby union players from Johannesburg Category:Saracens F.C. players Category:South Africa national rugby league team players Category:South African expatriate rugby league players Category:South African expatriate rugby union players in England Category:South African expatriate sportspeople in Australia Category:South African expatriate sportspeople in Italy Category:South African people of English descent Category:South African rugby league players Category:South African rugby union coaches Category:South African rugby union players