­
  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • British & Irish Lions
  • Videos
  • Supabets
  • Cars
    • Motoring News
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Daddy’s Deals

SA Rugbymag

South African rugby news, fixtures, results, video, interviews, and more. Covering the Springboks, Bulls, Stormers/Western Province, Sharks, Cheetahs, Kings and Lions, as well as schools and club rugby.

Primary Menu Search
  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • British & Irish Lions
  • Videos
  • Supabets
  • Cars
    • Motoring News
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Daddy’s Deals

You are here: Home ∼ Most underrated Boks: Brussow the Brilliant

Most underrated Boks: Brussow the Brilliant

Heinrich Brussow Heinrich Brussow
Published on August 27, 2020

In the first part of a new series, CRAIG LEWIS identifies fetcher extraordinaire Heinrich Brussow as one of the most underrated Springboks.

This period of lockdown has provided plenty of time to reflect on the ‘good old days’.

In this new content series, we look back at the career of Brussow, who earned just 23 caps for the Springboks, but surely has to be regarded as one of the most dynamic players to have ever donned the green and gold.

Weighing in it at only around 100kg, Brussow was underestimated by many during an era where big, bruising loose forwards were more often favoured by South African coaches.

Yet, Brussow – the dimunitive but hard-as-nails openside flank – was in a league of his own, with his ability to effect turnovers at the breakdown putting him in the class of a rare breed of world-class fetchers.

Some of his best work was reserved for the famous British & Irish Lions series and Tri-Nations victories in 2009, while he notably never lost in any of his five Test starts against the All Blacks.

At just 23 years old in 2009, he deservedly earned the SA Rugby Young Player of the Year award, and at that point looked destined for a long and illustrious Test career.

And although Brussow would play every match for the Springboks at the 2011 World Cup, his career was blighted by injuries, while at times he fell out of favour with coaches who didn’t see a place for his style of play.

After eight seasons playing in Bloemfontein with the Cheetahs, Brussow then spent five years in Japan, before moving to the Northampton Saints.

Unfortunately, he suffered a number of consecutive injuries after moving to the Premiership side and was ultimately forced to announce his ‘immediate retirement’ towards the end of 2019.

Nevertheless, Springbok No 801 will undoubtedly be remembered as a very ‘special one’.

Posted in Columns, Craig Lewis, Springboks, Teams, Test Rugby, Top headlines, Tournaments, Uncategorized

Post by Craig Lewis

Craig Lewis

MPU #1 - (DESKTOP SIZE 300x250 / MOBILE SIZE 320x50, 300x250, 320x100)
← Previous Next →

Ratings: Du Toit one of the few standouts for Boks

The Boks faded in the second half to slump to a 22-17...

Five key areas the Boks need to dominate for first victory

SA Rugby magazine highlights five crucial areas the Boks will need to...

Duhan should be celebrated for his Lions success

Duhan van der Merwe’s achievements should be truly appreciated by South Africans,...

JdV: Boks-Lions have everything to play for

Performing in empty stadiums will be a key factor in the series...

Dynamic Dayimani: Forward to back

While he has been signed as an ‘edge’ forward, Hacjivah Dayimani could...

Boks have muscle memory to rely on

Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber are experts at finding solutions to tricky...

Top six: Best and worst foreign imports

SARugbymag.co.za identifies six of the best and worst foreign players to play...

Column: When context is needed

As highlighted by the Argentina controversy, ‘cancel culture’ needs a spoonful of...

Dark cloud hangs over WP Rugby

The problems at Western Province Rugby are layered, and everyone involved needs...

From the mag: Foreign Favourites

As Vodacom Super Rugby turned 25 this year, JON CARDINELLI picks an...

Bulls rookies to watch

After a massive exodus of players the Vodacom Bulls will be eager...

Analysis: The new suffocate-and-strangle game

For the Boks to emerge as World Cup winners, they need to...

VIEW MORE
  • Team graphics: Springboks vs B&I Lions
  • Boks vs Lions (1st Test): Predict and WIN!
  • Lions team announcement: Duhan to front Boks
  • Teams: SA A vs Bulls
Boks

Why the Boks should be bullish

There is good reason for the Springboks to enter the British & Irish Lions series with confidence, writes MARK KEOHANE in the latest SA Rugby magazine.

  • Watch: Did Gatland’s words influence Jonker?


COVID-19 Corona Virus
South African Resource Portal

ABOUT

  • Contact us
  • Competitions
  • Videos
  • Player Features
  • Subscribe
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy Policy

TOURNAMENTS

    • Rugby Championship
    • Super Rugby
    • Currie Cup
    • Varsity Cup
    • Gold Cup
    • Schools
    • Six Nations
    • Champions Cup
    • World Cup

OPINION

  • Mallett on SuperSport
  • Cardinelli column
  • Lewis column
  • Xabanisa column
  • Borchardt column
  • Superbru

Primary Menu

  • Home
  • Match Centre
  • British & Irish Lions
  • Videos
  • Supabets
  • Cars
    • Motoring News
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Daddy’s Deals
×