title: Andries Bekker
text: # Andries Bekker
  
  Andries Bekker (born 5 December 1983 in Cape Town, South Africa) is a former South African rugby union player for the Springbok rugby team as well as Kobelco Steelers in the Japanese Top League.
  
  ## Playing career
  
  Bekker made his South African debut in 2008 against Wales in a 43–17 victory in Bloemfontein.
  
  At 6'11" he is one of the tallest international rugby players, but he only made the Springbok side regularly after the retirement of locks Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield. He is the son of former Springbok International Hennie Bekker who was also a lock.
  
  Holding the record for being the tallest Springbok in history, Andries Bekker was an imposing figure in the DHL Stormers lineout. Despite his large physique, he is blessed with mobility and pace; aspects which have seen him become an integral part of the current Springbok squad. His experience and all-round ability was to be crucial to the success of a relatively young pack in 2010.
  
  In 2013 Bekker agreed to a move to Japanese club Kobelco Steelers. He announced his retirement in January 2018.
  
  ## Accolades
  
  Bekker was a Vodacom Super 14 Rugby Player of the Year nominee in 2008.
  
  