Fleck
Robbie Fleck is considered one of the best to wear the Springbok jersey. A South African legend of the game.
Robbie Fleck Bio
Robbie Fleck is considered by many to be one of the best players to wear Springbok colours. ‘Flekkie’ was a centre with astonishing pace and could unleash some devastating attacking play, which made him a fan favourite at both club and international level.
Born in Cape Town, South Africa in July 1975, Robert (Robbie) Fleck began playing rugby during his school years at Cape Town’s Bishops College before eventually signing for provincial side Western Province in 1997. He remained with the team for six seasons, but in addition, had a spell with the Stormers playing in what was the Super 12.
With both these sides he made over 100 collective appearances and earned numerous honours including Currie Cup wins with Western Province in his debut season and in 2000 and 2001. Robbie Fleck also helped Stormers to several play-off appearances. In 2003 he left South Africa and headed over to the UK to join up with Bath Rugby. Here he played in the English Premiership for a number of seasons before eventually retiring from the game in 2004 due to injury.
Robbie Fleck’s international career started with a call up in 1998 to play in South Africa’s tour of the UK and Ireland. His test debut would come a year later in 1999 against Italy where he also scored a try in the side’s 74 – 3 win. His impressive form meant he then earned a place in the South Africa squad for the 1999 Rugby World Cup and was instrumental in helping the team earn a third-place finish. Two years later he would be made vice-captain of the Springboks, but ongoing injuries meant his appearances were few and far between for much of the 2001 season.
His final appearance – and his 31st cap – for South Africa came in 2002 against England. Today, Robbie Fleck is still involved in the game and from 2016 to 2020 was the head coach of the Stormers.
