Professor Johannes Theodorus Claassen (23 September 1929 – 6 January 2019) was a South African rugby player, playing at the second-row forward position.

Biography

He attended school in Christiana and later attended University in Potchefstroom. He made his first appearance for Western Transvaal when he was 19 years old and went on to play a total of 105 matches for Western Transvaal. He made his Test debut six years later against the Lions at Ellis Park. In 1958, Claassen became captain of the South African National Team before a match against the French. In 1962, he led the South African team to a winning streak, including a major victory over the

British and Irish Lions The British & Irish Lions is a rugby union team selected from players eligible for the national teams of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The Lions are a test side and most often select players who have already played for their national ...

. From 1968 to 1971 he was head coach of the South African team, known as the Springboks, winning 17 out of 26 test matches. In club rugby, Claassen was most notably a star for

Western Transvaal The Province of the Transvaal ( af, Provinsie van Transvaal), commonly referred to as the Transvaal (; ), was a province of South Africa from 1910 until 1994, when a new constitution subdivided it following the end of apartheid. The name "Trans ...

. After retiring from rugby he went on to become a teacher, before becoming a lecturer at Potchefstroom University and later a Professor of Bible Studies.

References

1929 births 2019 deaths South African rugby union players South African rugby union coaches Rugby union locks People from Prince Albert Local Municipality South Africa international rugby union players South Africa national rugby union team captains Leopards (rugby union) players {{SouthAfrica-rugbyunion-bio-stub