# Ruben Kruger > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ruben_Kruger > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ruben_Kruger.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruben_Kruger > Source revision: 1345447552 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) South African rugby union player Rugby player Ruben Kruger Born Ruben Jacobus Kruger (1970-03-30)30 March 1970 Vrede, Free State, South Africa Died 27 January 2010(2010-01-27) (aged 39) Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) Weight 101 kg (223 lb) School Grey College, Bloemfontein Notable relative Henco Venter (nephew) Rugby union career Position Flanker Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 1991–1993 Free State 36 (20) 1993–2000 Northern Transvaal 96 (135) Super Rugby Years Team Apps (Points) 1996–2000 Bulls 10 (5) International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1993–1999 South Africa 36 (35) National sevens team Years Team Comps 1993 South Africa 7s 3 **Ruben Jacobus Kruger** (30 March 1970 – 27 January 2010[1]) was a South African [rugby union](/source/Rugby_union) player. He played as a flanker.[2] He had two daughters [Zoë](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Zo%C3%AB_Kruger&action=edit&redlink=1) (b. 2002) and [Isabella](/source/Isabella_Kruger) (b. 2005). Isabella played quarter final on the junior tournament at the [2022 Wimbledon Championships](/source/2022_Wimbledon_Championships_%E2%80%93_Girls'_singles).[3] ## Playing career ### Provincial A product of [Grey College](/source/Grey_College%2C_Bloemfontein) in Bloemfontein, Kruger played for the [Free State](/source/Cheetahs_(rugby_union)) schools team at the annual [Craven Week](/source/Craven_Week) tournament in 1987 and 1988 and gained selection for the [South African Schools team](/source/South_Africa_national_under-18_rugby_union_team) in both years. After representing the Free State under-20 team in 1989 and 1990, he made his senior provincial debut for the Free State in 1991.[4] During 1993, Kruger moved to [Northern Transvaal](/source/Bulls_(rugby_union)) and played for the union until 2000. In 1995 Ruben Kruger was named South African Rugby Football Union's player of the year.[5] ### International Kruger played for the [South Africa national rugby union team](/source/South_Africa_national_rugby_union_team) between 1993 and 1999. He played his first test match for the [Springboks](/source/South_Africa_national_rugby_union_team) on 6 November 1993 against [Argentina](/source/Argentina_national_rugby_union_team) at the [Ferro Carril Oeste Stadium](/source/Estadio_Arquitecto_Ricardo_Etcheverry) in Buenos Aires. In 1995, he played in the [Rugby World Cup](/source/1995_Rugby_World_Cup). During this tournament, he made 5 starts, and scored 1 try, in the controversial semi-final against the [France national rugby union team](/source/France_national_rugby_union_team). Kruger also played in the 1999 World Cup and in addition to his 36 test matches, he also played in 20 tour matches and scored 14 tries.[6] ### Test history [World Cup final](/source/1995_Rugby_World_Cup_final) No. Opposition Result (SA 1st) Position Tries Date Venue 1. Argentina 29–26 Flank 6 Nov 1993 Ferro Carril Oeste, Buenos Aires 2. Argentina 52–23 Flank 13 Nov 1993 Ferro Carril Oeste, Buenos Aires 3. Scotland 34–10 Flank 19 Nov 1994 Murrayfield, Edinburgh 4. Wales 20–12 Flank 26 Nov 1994 Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff 5. Samoa 60–8 Flank 13 Apr 1995 Ellis Park, Johannesburg 6. Australia 27–18 Flank 25 May 1995 Newlands, Cape Town 7. Romania 21–8 Flank 30 May 1995 Newlands, Cape Town 8. Samoa 42–14 Flank 10 Jun 1995 Ellis Park, Johannesburg 9. France 19–15 Flank 1 17 Jun 1995 Kings Park, Durban 10. New Zealand 15–12 Flank 24 Jun 1995 Ellis Park, Johannesburg 11. Wales 40–11 Flank 2 Sep 1995 Ellis Park, Johannesburg 12. Italy 40–21 Flank 12 Nov 1995 Stadio Olimpico, Rome 13. England 24–14 Flank 18 Nov 1995 Twickenham, London 14. Fiji 43–18 Flank 2 Jul 1996 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 15. Australia 16–21 Flank 13 Jul 1996 Sydney Football Stadium (SFG), Sydney 16. New Zealand 11–15 Flank 20 Jul 1996 AMI Stadium, Christchurch 17. Australia 25–19 Flank 3 Aug 1996 Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein 18. New Zealand 18–29 Flank 10 Aug 1996 Newlands, Cape Town 19. New Zealand 19–23 Flank 17 Aug 1996 Kings Park, Durban 20. New Zealand 26–33 Flank 1 24 Aug 1996 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 21. New Zealand 32–22 Flank 31 Aug 1996 Ellis Park, Johannesburg 22. Argentina 46–15 Flank 9 Nov 1996 Ferro Carril Oeste, Buenos Aires 23. Argentina 44–21 Flank 2 16 Nov 1996 Ferro Carril Oeste, Buenos Aires 24. France 22–12 Flank 30 Nov 1996 Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux 25. France 13–12 Flank 7 Dec 1996 Parc des Princes, Paris 26. Wales 37–20 Flank 15 Dec 1996 Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff 27. Tonga 74–10 Flank 2 10 Jun 1997 Newlands, Cape Town 28. British Lions 16–25 Flank 21 Jun 1997 Newlands, Cape Town 29. British Lions 15–18 Flank 28 Jun 1997 Kings Park, Durban 30. New Zealand 32–35 Flank 19 Jul 1997 Ellis Park, Johannesburg 31. Australia 20–32 Flank 2 Aug 1997 Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 32. New Zealand 35–55 Flank 1 9 Aug 1997 Eden Park, Auckland 33. New Zealand 18–34 Flank 7 Aug 1999 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 34. Australia 10–9 Replacement 14 Aug 1999 Newlands, Cape Town 35. Spain 47–3 Flank 10 Oct 1999 Murrayfield, Edinburgh 36. New Zealand 22–18 Replacement 4 Nov 1999 Millennium Stadium, Cardiff ### World Cups - 1995: world champions, 5 selections ([Wallabies](/source/Australia_national_rugby_union_team), [Romania](/source/Romania_national_rugby_union_team), [Samoa](/source/Samoa_national_rugby_union_team), [France](/source/France_national_rugby_union_team), [All Blacks](/source/New_Zealand_national_rugby_union_team)). - 1999: 2 selections ([Spain](/source/Spain_national_rugby_union_team), [All Blacks](/source/New_Zealand_national_rugby_union_team)). ## Later career At the end of his rugby career, he became a camera [salesman](/source/Salesman). He owned a Minolta franchise in [Pretoria](/source/Pretoria). He was portrayed in *[Invictus](/source/Invictus_(film))*, a film about [Nelson Mandela](/source/Nelson_Mandela) and the 1995 Springboks, by [Grant Roberts](/source/Grant_L._Roberts).[7] ## Death Kruger died in Pretoria on 27 January 2010 after battling [brain cancer](/source/Brain_cancer) for 10 years. He was two months short of his 40th birthday.[8] ## See also - [List of South Africa national rugby union players](/source/List_of_South_Africa_national_rugby_union_players#List) – Springbok no. **596** - [List of South Africa national under-18 rugby union team players](/source/List_of_South_Africa_national_under-18_rugby_union_team_players) - [List of South Africa national rugby sevens players](/source/List_of_South_Africa_national_rugby_sevens_players) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** [Ruben Kruger passes away](http://www.supersport.com/rugby/article.aspx?headline=Ruben%20Kruger%20passes%20away&id=331131) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Ruben Jacobus Kruger"](http://www.espnscrum.com/southafrica/rugby/player/11660.html). *ESPN scrum*. Retrieved 4 July 2020. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Lambley, Garrin (7 July 2022). ["BREAKING: Daughter of Springbok legend BEATEN in Junior Wimbledon quarter-finals"](https://www.thesouthafrican.com/sport/tennis/daughter-isabelle-kruger-of-springbok-legend-ruben-kruger-beaten-in-junior-wimbledon-quarter-finals-exclusive-breaking-trending-viral-tennis-news-result-match-report-live-watch/). www.thesouthafrican.com. Retrieved 19 July 2022. 1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Van Rooyen, Quintus (199). *S.A. Rugby Writers Annual 1993*. SA Rugby Writers' Society. p. 87. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0620172940](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0620172940). {{[cite book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_book)}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility ([help](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:CS1_errors#invalid_isbn_date)) 1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Colquhoun, Andy (2001). *South African Rugby Annual 2001*. Cape Town: SA Rugby & MWP Media (Pty) Ltd. pp. 41, 202, 208. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0958423180](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0958423180). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Colquhoun, Andy (2001). *South African Rugby Annual 2001*. Cape Town: SA Rugby & MWP Media (Pty) Ltd. p. 402. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0958423180](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0958423180). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** [*Invictus (2009) - IMDb*](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1057500/fullcredits), retrieved 4 July 2020 1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** [*www.supersport.com*](http://www.sport24.co.za/Content/Rugby/264/b344c1e0025e4c9bb0655f7206e524b4/28-01-2010-07-40/Ruben_Kruger_dies). ## External links - [Site springboks 1996](http://www.genslin.us/bokke/SARugby.html) - [scrum.com statistics](http://statistics.scrum.com/rugby_stats_05.asp?ID=ZKR7) Squads v t e South Africa Sevens – 1993 Rugby World Cup Sevens Squad Chris Badenhorst Jannie Claassens André Joubert Dieter Kriese Ruben Kruger Dick Muir Dion O'Cuinneagain Jacques Olivier Joost van der Westhuizen Chester Williams Coach Gysie Pienaar v t e South Africa squad – 1995 Rugby World Cup (1st title) Forwards Andrews Brink Dalton Drotské Du Randt Hurter Kruger Otto Pagel Pienaar (c) Richter Rossouw Straeuli Strydom Swart Teichmann Wiese Backs Hendriks Johnson Joubert Le Roux Mulder Roux Scholtz Small Stransky Van der Westhuizen Venter Williams Coach: Kitch Christie v t e South Africa squad – 1999 Rugby World Cup third place Forwards Andrews Drotské Du Randt Erasmus Garvey Kruger Otto Leonard Le Roux C. Rossouw Skinstad Van den Berg Van Heerden A. Venter Visagie Vos Backs De Beer Fleck Honiball Montgomery Julies Kayser Malotana Muller Paulse P. Rossouw Swanepoel Terblanche Van der Westhuizen B. Venter Coach: Mallett [Portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Contents/Portals): - [Sport](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Sport) --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ruben Kruger](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruben_Kruger) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruben_Kruger?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.