Andrew Douglas Aitken (born 10 June 1968) is a South African former

rugby union Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In its m ...

player.

Playing career

Aitken made his senior provincial debut for in 1988 and in 1990 was part of the

Currie Cup The Currie Cup is South Africa's premier domestic rugby union competition, played each winter and spring (June to October), featuring teams representing either entire provinces or substantial regions within provinces. Although it is the premier ...

winning team. From 1991 to 1994 he played for and also captained the team. 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 , mottoeng = Literal: From here, light and sacred draughts. Non literal: From this place, we gain enlightenment and precious knowledge. , established = , other_name = The Chancellor, Masters and Schola ...

. After also playing for Watsonian in Edinburgh he returned to Western Province in 1997, helping the team to win the

1997 Currie Cup The 1997 Currie Cup was the 59th season of the Currie Cup, South Africa's premier domestic rugby union competition, since it started in 1889. The competition was known as the Bankfin Currie Cup for sponsorship reasons and was contested from 28 M ...

. Aitken made his

test Test(s), testing, or TEST may refer to: * Test (assessment), an educational assessment intended to measure the respondents' knowledge or other abilities Arts and entertainment * ''Test'' (2013 film), an American film * ''Test'' (2014 film), ...

debut for the Springboks as a replacement, against at

Parc des Princes Parc des Princes () is an all-seater stadium, all-seater Association football, football stadium in Paris, France, in the south-west of the French capital, inside the 16th arrondissement of Paris, 16th arrondissement, near the Stade Jean-Bouin ...

in Paris. His first start for the Springboks, was the following week against at

Twickenham Twickenham is a suburban district in London, England. It is situated on the River Thames southwest of Charing Cross. Historically part of Middlesex, it has formed part of the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames since 1965, and the boroug ...

. 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.

Test history

Accolades

Aitken was voted as one of the five SA Young Players of the Year for 1990, along with

Jannie Claassens Johannes Petrus "Jannie" Claassens (born 30 June 1969) is a South African former rugby union player. Playing career As a schoolboy Claassens represented at the 1988 Craven Week tournament. He made his provincial debut for in 1990 and played 10 ...

, Bernard Fourie, Ian MacDonald and

Theo van Rensburg Jan Theodorus 'Theo' Jansen van Rensburg (born 26 August 1967, in Carletonville), is a former South African rugby union player who played for the South Africa national rugby union team. He played as fullback. Playing career Provincial rugby Va ...

. 1990 Currie Cup Winner, 1997 Currie Cup Winner.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aitken, Andrew 1968 births Living people South African rugby union players South Africa international rugby union players Sharks (Currie Cup) players Western Province (rugby union) players Stormers players Rugby union players from Durban

Playing career

Test history

Accolades

See also

References