Andre Markgraaff
Encyclopedia
Andries Thomas "Andre" Markgraaff (born Kimberley
, 23 February 1956) was a South Africa
n rugby union
flanker, and controversial national coach, who resigned after he was taped referring to "fucking kaffir
s". He was selected for the South African team
in 1986 against the Cavaliers
but as an unused substitute. Markgraaff also represented the then South West Africa in 20 games.
In 1988, he became coach of Griqualand West
. He became president of Griquas in 1991.
In 1996, Markgraaff become the Springbok
coach. He quickly became involved in controversy when he dropped captain Francois Pienaar
, accusing him of feigning an injury during a match.
In 1997 Markgraaff was forced to quit making controversial racial statements. when he referred to a black senior rugby administrator Mluleki George
as a "kaffir". In his apology, Markgraaff said
Markgraaf also attracted controversy for other selections:
During his short reign the Springboks won eight and lost five tests. Markgraaf's racist remarks caused Steve Tshwete
, the then sports minister to set up an inquiry into institutional racism in South African rugby.
In 1998, Markgraaff took Griqualand West
to the semis of the Currie Cup.
Kimberley, Northern Cape
Kimberley is a city in South Africa, and the capital of the Northern Cape. It is located near the confluence of the Vaal and Orange Rivers. The town has considerable historical significance due its diamond mining past and siege during the Second Boer War...
, 23 February 1956) was a South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
flanker, and controversial national coach, who resigned after he was taped referring to "fucking kaffir
Kaffir (racial term)
The word kaffir, sometimes spelled kaffer or kafir, is an offensive term for a black person, most common in South Africa and other African countries...
s". He was selected for the South African team
South Africa national rugby union team
The South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental...
in 1986 against the Cavaliers
New Zealand Cavaliers
The Cavaliers was the name given to an unofficial New Zealand rugby union team which toured South Africa in 1986.The rebel tour occurred after the official All Black tour planned for 1985 was cancelled due to a legal ruling that it would be incompatible with the NZRFU's legally stated purpose:...
but as an unused substitute. Markgraaff also represented the then South West Africa in 20 games.
In 1988, he became coach of Griqualand West
Wildeklawer Griquas
The GWK Griquas are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. Their home ground is Hoffe Park Stadium, known for sponsorship reasons as GWK Park in Kimberley, and they draw their players from Northern Cape Province. They were previously known as...
. He became president of Griquas in 1991.
In 1996, Markgraaff become the Springbok
South Africa national rugby union team
The South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental...
coach. He quickly became involved in controversy when he dropped captain Francois Pienaar
Francois Pienaar
Jacobus Francois Pienaar is a South African former rugby union player. He played flanker for South Africa from 1993 until 1996, winning 29 international caps, all of them as captain. He is best known for leading South Africa to victory in the 1995 Rugby World Cup...
, accusing him of feigning an injury during a match.
In 1997 Markgraaff was forced to quit making controversial racial statements. when he referred to a black senior rugby administrator Mluleki George
Mluleki George
Mluleki Editor George is the former deputy minister of defence of South Africa. He currently serves as treasurer-general of the Congress of the People, a South African political party formed by former Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota in 2008.-External links:...
as a "kaffir". In his apology, Markgraaff said
- "I'm not making any excuses. I was very emotional at the time. I apologise to the black people of this country and to the whites for causing them embarrassment."
Markgraaf also attracted controversy for other selections:
- "Less than a year after the World Cup victory, controversy raged when Springbok coach Andre Markgraaff selected one Henry Tromp. He and his father had recently been convicted of manslaughter. Their crime? They beat a farmworker to death. Many felt that Markgraaff had been insensitive in his selection of Tromp."
During his short reign the Springboks won eight and lost five tests. Markgraaf's racist remarks caused Steve Tshwete
Steve Tshwete
Steve Vukhile Tshwete was a South African politician and activist with the African National Congress. Involved in the Umkhonto we Sizwe, Tshwete was imprisoned by the apartheid authorities on Robben Island from February 1964 to 1983...
, the then sports minister to set up an inquiry into institutional racism in South African rugby.
In 1998, Markgraaff took Griqualand West
Wildeklawer Griquas
The GWK Griquas are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. Their home ground is Hoffe Park Stadium, known for sponsorship reasons as GWK Park in Kimberley, and they draw their players from Northern Cape Province. They were previously known as...
to the semis of the Currie Cup.