All you need to know about Deon Fourie, the Springboks player

All you need to know about Deon Fourie, the Springboks player

Ciku Njuguna
February 19, 2024 at 9:51 AM

Deon André Fourie is a professional rugby player who plays for the South African national rugby team and the Stormers. In 2022, he proved his mettle after debuting his national team at 35. At the time of writing, Fourie is regarded as the oldest Springboks debutant. Dig in here and discover every detail of Deon Fourie's personal and professional life.

South African rugby player, Deon Fourie
Deon Fourie (l) of the Stormers in action during a match against the Sharks. On the right, he poses during the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Photo by Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images/Alex Livesey/World Rugby.
Source: Getty Images

Table of Сontents:

In 2023, news of his father's hospitalisation overshadowed his success at the Rugby World Cup. Armed with his medal around his neck, the loose forward made a beeline to his father's bedside. Scroll down and explore facts about Boks player Deon Fourie and his determination to succeed.

Deon Fourie's profile summary

Full name

Deon André Fourie

Nickname

Brannas

Date of birth

25 September 1986

Age

37 years old as of February 2024

Place of birth

Pretoria, South Africa

Nationality

South African

Height

176 centimetres (5'9")

Weight

94 kilograms (207.2 lbs)

Parents

Deon Snr. and Jeanette

Relationship status

Married

Wife

Jean-Marie

Children

2

Education

Hoërskool Pietersburg

Profession

Professional rugby player

Position

Hooker, flank

Teams

Limpopo Blue Bulls, Western Province, Stormers, LOU Rugby, FC Grenoble Rugby, Springboks

Test debut

July 2022

Net worth

$1 million - $3 million

Social media

Instagram, X(Twitter), LinkedIn

What is Deon Fourie's height and weight?

According to various sources, Deon Fourie's height is 176 centimetres (5’9”). The Stormer's hooker weighs 94 kilograms (207.2 lbs).

Facts about South African rugby player, Deon Fourie
Deon Fourie poses for a portrait during the South Africa Rugby World Cup photocall on September 02, 2023, in Toulon, France. Photo by Jan Kruger/World Rugby.
Source: Original

How old is Deon Fourie?

What is Deon Fourie's date of birth? The rugby union player was born on the 25th of September 1986. As of February 2024, the loose forward is 37 years old.

Deon Fourie's biography

He was born in Pretoria, South Africa, to Deon Snr. and Jeanette Fourie. At age eight, the family moved to Rustenberg before settling in Polokwane, a municipality in Limpopo.

Deon Fourie's father influenced his son's career choice with weekly visits to Loftus, where the pair watched almost every game. On the other hand, his mother was an influential force in his life with gymnastics coaching that laid the foundation for his success.

Deon Fourie's family

The 37-year-old hooker is married to Jean-Marie. Deon and Jean Marie got engaged on May 21, 2013, and tied the knot on January 4, 2014, at the Groenrivier Wedding Venue in Riebeek West, South Africa. The couple has two children, Jamie and Brinley Belle. Like many famous WAGs, Deon Fourie's wife does not shy away from publicly supporting her husband on the sidelines and on social media.

Deon Fourie competes in the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Deon Fourie (l) runs with the ball during the 2023 Rugby World Cup match against England at Stade de France on October 21, 2023, in Paris, France. Photo by Franco Arland/Quality Sport Images.
Source: Getty Images

Education

Where did Deon Fourie go to school? The loose forward attended Hoërskool Pietersburg, a school famous for producing elite rugby players.

Career

He began playing rugby at the Pietersburg High School like several Boks legends such as Victor Matfield. He later joined the Limpopo Blue Bulls, a team he had supported from childhood. Between 2005 and 2007, he played for the Western Province rugby union team.

What is Deon Fourie's position?

He is a flanker who also plays in third-row positions. According to All Rugby, he is a versatile player who has occupied outside and blindside flank positions 118 times. He has occupied hooker positions in 12% of matches played.

Stormers' Deon Fourie in action.
Stormers' Deon Fourie in action during the Super 14 match against Highlanders at Newlands Rugby Stadium on March 06, 2010 in Cape Town, South Africa. Photo by Carl Fourie/Gallo Images.
Source: Getty Images

Who does Deon Fourie play for?

He is an international rugby player who represents the South African Springboks team. In 2008, he joined the Stormies after a successful stint with the Western Province rugby union team. In 2014, he began a seven-year career in the French rugby scene, playing for Lyon Olympique Universitaire Rugby and FC Grenoble Rugby. At the time of writing, he plays for the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship.

Club career

His career has not been limited to his home country alone. After playing in the Currie Cup and the United Rugby Championship leagues in the United States, he moved to France, where he played for teams in the Pro D2 and the Top 14.

As of February 2024, he had made 9 successful caries out of 14 carries for the Stormers in the 2023/24 season. The flanker has also recorded 88% tackle success. Have a look at Deon Fourie's club career stats as of February 2024.

Team

Period

Appearances

Points

Limpopo Blue Bulls

2004

-

-

Western Province

2005-2007

90

110

Stormers

2008-2014

84

65

LOU Rugby

2014-2019

91

60

FC Grenoble Rugby

2019-2021

42

50

Western Province

2021

7

5

Hurricanes' TJ Perenara (l) is tackled by Deon Fourie of the Stormers (c).
Hurricanes' TJ Perenara (l) is tackled by Deon Fourie of the Stormers (c) during a Super Rugby match at FMG Stadium on April 26, 2013, in Palmerston North, New Zealand. Photo by Hagen Hopkins.
Source: Getty Images

International career

The flanker's ambitions to represent the Springboks began very early. However, he never received a call-up owing to his size. According to Planet Rugby, this prompted his move overseas. In July 2022, he made his Test debut for the Springboks against Wales in Bloemfontein. Here is a summary of Deon Fourie's international career stats.

Seasons

2023-2024

Appearances

13

Wins

9

Losses

0

Draws

4

Points

10

Frequently asked questions

The former Western Province captain played a vital role in South Africa's win during the 2023 Rugby World Cup. His efforts during the South Africa versus Tonga final match earned him the Mastercard Player of the Match award. Here are some interesting facts about the oldest Springbok debut.

Deon Fourie poses with the Mastercard Player of the Match trophy.
Deon Fourie poses with the Mastercard Player of the Match trophy after the RWC match between South Africa and Tonga at Stade Velodrome on October 01, 2023. Photo by Michael Steele/World Rugby.
Source: Getty Images

1. What is Deon Fourie's nickname?

The 2013 DHL WP Players' Player of the Year awardee is affectionately known as Brannas, a name derived from the Afrikaans abbreviation for brandy 'Brannewyn '. While some attribute the name to his age, he has yet to reveal the origin of the name. Speaking to the media prior to his debut test against Wales in Bloemfontein

"It is fitting that it is all happening in Bloemfontein for me because that is where the 'Brannas' nickname originated back in 2007, at Bloemfontein Airport. But it is a long story, so let us cut it short here."

2. When did Deon Fourie make his Springbok debut?

In 2022, he made his debut as a replacement during the second Test against Wales at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Saturday. At the time of his test debut (35 years), Deon Fourie's age made him the oldest player to make a test debut for the Springboks.

3. How much is Deon Fourie's net worth?

According to various sources, Deon's net worth ranges between $1 million and $3 million. Other publications estimate the figure between $1 million and $5 million.

Western Province hoker Deon Fourie in action.
Western Province hooker Deon Fourie in action during the ABSA Currie Cup match against Platinum Leopards on September 11, 2010 in Cape Town, South Africa. Photo by Carl Fourie/Gallo Images.
Source: Getty Images

Final word

Deon Fourie is a professional rugby union player who has defied all odds to become one of the most successful Springboks players. While his ambitions and career success took a while to come to fruition, his story serves as an inspiration to up-and-coming players.

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Authors
Ciku Njuguna photo
Ciku Njuguna
Ciku Njuguna is a journalist with 3 year’s experience in content creation based in Kenya. She currently covers sports personnel as well as team biographies.
Tags
South AfricaSouth African Rugby Union (SARU)SpringboksRugby World Cup