| Full name | Petrus Johannes Juandré Kruger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | (1985-09-06)6 September 1985 (age 40) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.99 m (6 ft6+1⁄2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 114 kg (17 st 13 lb; 251 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Paul Roos Gymnasium | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Stellenbosch University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Occupation(s) | Professional Rugby Player & Business Person | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Juandré Kruger (born 6 September 1985) is a South African professionalRugby union footballer, contracted toRugby Club Toulon in the FrenchTop 14. His preferred position is atLock although he has also played in the back row.
He is widely regarded as one of the best up-and-coming second-row forward prospects in South African rugby.[1] He started his career off atWestern Province, representing them in the 2007Vodacom Cup. From there he moved toBlue Bulls, competing for them in the 2008Vodacom Cup. He also featured for the Blue Bulls in the2008 Currie Cup, at times being preferred toSpringbok internationalsVictor Matfield andBakkies Botha.[1] Kruger was an unused replacement in the Final of the 2008 Currie Cup, against theSharks.[2]
Kruger then made the move toNorthampton Saints.[1] He enjoyed a successful partnership withIgnacio Fernández Lobbe. In his first season at the club, he won theECC.[3] In his second and final season, he featured in theHeineken Cup,[4] played in aGuinness Premiership Semi Final[5] and won theAnglo-Welsh Cup.[6]
Kruger re-joined the Blue Bulls in 2010.[7]
In 2013 Kruger made the move with his family to Paris joiningTop 14 clubRacing 92[8]
On 2 June 2012, Juandré Kruger was called up to the Springbok squad for the first time for the inbound series against England.[9] This was his first National selection. On 6 June, it was announced by Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer that Kruger would start at lock (number 5) for the first test of the series against England in Durban on 9 June 2012 . This would mark Kruger's debut for South Africa.[10]With South Africa running out 22-17 victors in the first test Kruger had made a good start to the series. He played all three matches. In the second game South Africa won 36-27 thanks to a late try from Pietersen but were held to a 14–14 draw in the final test.
