Andrew Aitken (rugby union)

Andrew Douglas Aitken (born 10 June 1968) is a South African former rugby union player.[1]

Andrew Aitken
Birth nameAndrew Douglas Aitken
Date of birth (1968-06-10) 10 June 1968 (age 56)
Place of birthDurban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight99 kg (218 lb)
SchoolDurban High School
UniversityUniversity of Natal
University of Cape Town
University of Oxford
Rugby union career
Position(s) Loose-forward
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1994 Watsonian FC ()
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1988–90 Natal 46 ()
1991–94, 97–98 Western Province 79 (60)
Super Rugby
Years Team Apps (Points)
1998 Stormers 6 (15)
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1997–1998 South Africa 7
National sevens team
Years Team Comps
1994 Scotland 7s 1

Playing career

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Aitken made his senior provincial debut for Natal in 1988 and in 1990 was part of the Currie Cup winning team. From 1991 to 1994 he played for Western Province and also captained the team.[2] During 1993 he had the opportunity to further his studies at the University of Oxford and during his time there, he played in the annual varsity match against University of Cambridge. After also playing for Watsonian in Edinburgh he returned to Western Province in 1997, helping the team to win the 1997 Currie Cup.[3]

Aitken made his test debut for the Springboks as a replacement, against France at Parc des Princes in Paris. His first start for the Springboks, was the following week against England at Twickenham. He played a further five Test matches for the Springboks and was on the winning side each time. He also played in two tour matches.[4]

Test history

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No. Opposition Result
(SA 1st)
Position Tries Date Venue
1.   France 52–10 Replacement 22 Nov 1997 Parc des Princes, Paris
2.   England 29–11 Flank 29 Nov 1997 Twickenham, London
3.   Ireland 33–0 Replacement 20 Jun 1998 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
4.   Wales 96–13 Replacement 27 Jun 1998 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
5.   New Zealand 13–3 Flank 25 Jul 1998 Athletic Park, Wellington
6.   New Zealand 24–23 Replacement 15 Aug 1998 Kings Park, Durban
7.   Australia 29–15 Replacement 22 Aug 1998 Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Accolades

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Aitken was voted as one of the five SA Young Players of the Year for 1990, along with Jannie Claassens, Bernard Fourie, Ian MacDonald and Theo Jansen van Rensburg.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Andrew Aitken". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  2. ^ Van Rooyen, Quintus (1995). Bankfin Annual 1995. Verwoerdburg: SA Rugby Writers' Society. p. 239. ISBN 0620189223.
  3. ^ Colquhoun, Andy (1999). The South African Rugby Annual 1999. Cape Town: MWP Media Sport. pp. 209–211. ISBN 0958423148.
  4. ^ Heath, Duane (2019). South African Rugby Annual 2019. Cape Town: South African Rugby. p. 192. ISBN 978-0620818087. OCLC 1089860189.
  5. ^ Van Rooyen, Quintus (1993). Bankfin Annual 1993. Verwoerdburg: SA Rugby Writers' Society. p. 14. ISBN 0620172940. 1990 Currie Cup Winner, 1997 Currie Cup Winner.