Tough As Nails: The True Springbok Story Of Andre Venter

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Brace yourself for a journey back in time with Springbok legendary hardman Andre Venter. In the late 1990s Venter became a firm fan favourite for his toughness in the Bok jersey.
Andre was part of a memorable 17 Test wins in a row - a Springbok record to this day. Venter also experienced being dropped from the side and World Cup disappointment in 1999.
In this honest and intimate, yet highly entertaining conversation Andre Venter reveals all. You’re not going to want to miss this incredible episode of Front Row Rugby!
00:00 Introduction by Peter
00:53 Springbok debut against New Zealand
02:57 Facing the haka
04:23 Losing to the All Blacks
06:24 Francois Pienaar dropped
07:19 Beating France in France
09:14 Andre Markgraaff
10:52 Losing to the Lions
13:14 Sent off
17:49 Sean Fitpatrick
20:02 1997 Year-end tour
22:01 17 Wins In A Row
26:17 Dropped for Bob Skinstad
31:41 Losing to Australia
32:54 Harry Viljoen
34:16 Test career ends
36:26 Transverse myelitis
39:23 Toughest opponent
41:12 Favourite current player
42:00 Funny moment
43:46 These days
44:43 Trivia question
Peter says: I love the Springboks and rugby is one of my favourite sports. Although as a sports journalist I am supposed to remain neutral, I always like to point out that before I became a professional, I was just a big fan! I hold a Masters Degree in International Journalism so at least you know I should be able to ask a good question or two! My dream is to do this KZbin Channel permanently. You can help me out by liking the videos, subscribing to the channel and hitting the notification bell.
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[@seamusweber8298]

For a man of his size, AV had some speed, great pace. He was a phenomenal player, could play second row, back row and No8. Extraordinary ability and strength. I wish him and his family well. Thanks for this great interview

[@frontrowrugby]

He was phenomenal. Remember he played Sevens too. Quite incredible. Glad you enjoyed the video Seamus.

[@davidmaclennan5925]

Really good interview Peter! You are definitely improving as you go. What a privilege to hear Andre Venter talking! It’s so nice to see that he is doing well! I couldn’t ever imagine the same illness befalling both Andre and Joost. I was there on that day in Durban, and to this day it’s still the highlight of my life to watch how the Boks fought so hard to win!!! Andre, you are the toughest springbok that has ever played the game! Bar nobody!!! I always felt safe knowing you were on the field! I salute you!

[@frontrowrugby]

Thank you so much, David. Glad you're getting value out of the videos. Andre was superb on the field and equally excellent as a guest. I'm so happy I could get him on the show! What a privilege to have been in Durban that day too! Unfortunately the first SA-NZ Test I attended we lost ... but at least the Boks won the first Test I ever attended! In fact, come to think of it I've only seen us lose to the All Blacks but all the other Tests I've attended we've won!

[@gm.Observer]

I will never forget the day that Andre walked into an office at an IT store whilst I was talking to the owner. The office went dark as this giant filled the door from top to bottom and left to right. What a brilliant player.

[@frontrowrugby]

What a great story!!

[@michaelvandermerwe616]

What a great man. True Springbok and South African. One of best flanks in South Africa

[@frontrowrugby]

Absolutely! A true legend.

[@SupremeBros2012]

Andre is a special player even buoyed by the fact that he is a fellow Man U fan :D. great interview as always

[@frontrowrugby]

Special player! No doubt about it!

[@Wolf-hh4rv]

Absolute legend. In the top 3/4 loose forwards in Springbok history. V similar in many ways to Pieter SDT. God bless you Andre.💪❤️

[@frontrowrugby]

Without a doubt. One of the greats for sure. Legend! No one can say otherwise.

[@seamus9750]

So glad that Andre is living his best life .

[@frontrowrugby]

The Afrikaans word "yster" best describes him. There isn't really an English equivalent I don't think. "Iron" doesn't quite fit as well!

[@seanpinkey8798]

Once again a top interview Peter! Andre was an outstanding Bok flank- hard as nails! In fact,Andre,Rassie & Teich were an outstanding back row in that unbeaten run of tests- one of the Boks best ever! A tragedy what happened to Andre but he seems in good spirits & can see he still loves the game.Hope his son Andre-Hugo follows in his dad's footsteps- a young player with a great future! Just one more thing- although the Boks lost to an outstanding Kiwi team in 96, it was a very close series & the result could easily have been 2-1 to the Boks but that's all part of history now!

[@frontrowrugby]

Thanks Sean! Andre was a magnificent player in his day and as you say together with Rassie and Teich formed an outstanding loose trio. A real tragedy what happened to Andre but as you can tell he is not letting it get him down. Still as strong in spirit as ever. What a privilege it will be for him to see his son become a Springbok! And yes, that 1996 season could have easily gone the other way. Four points in Durban and then seven in Pretoria with us camped on their try line right at the end.

[@thomasdeetlefs2162]

In a nation that seems to have hard loose forwards on a conveyor belt, this man was one of the hardest to have played in a springboks jersey.

[@frontrowrugby]

Conveyor belt indeed! They just keep on coming!

[@itsovergetuptherejoe]

What a hero. 👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿so much respect for what a great springbok he is. The Pieter Steph answer I so coming a long way away😂

[@frontrowrugby]

Hero. Legend. And even those words are not adequate for this great man.

[@sakabula2357]

Great interview Peter....What a legend...He faced great challenges on and off the field...and yes I agree with him completely...PSDT is probably the best loose forward out there at the moment..

[@frontrowrugby]

Thank you so much, Sakabula. I was so happy I could get Andre on the show. A true legend of Springbok rugby. And PSDT is in that same category. What a beast!

[@Ash0010]

Tough and fit as nails! Legend! HAAK VRYSTAAT!

[@frontrowrugby]

A true legend!

[@at7512]

Great interview with one on the toughest to wear the green qbd gold. 👌👌

[@frontrowrugby]

Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it. I was so pleased I could get him on the show!

[@Ash0010]

Fitzy was the "best" crook in the business! He got away with almost everything, the worst was how they frequently and intentionally conceded penalties instead of a try whenever we were inches from their goal line!

[@frontrowrugby]

Painful memories!

[@jackzietsman9551]

André was my mega-hero before Bakkies.

[@frontrowrugby]

Everyone loved and admired Andre. Hard, fair and a legend!

[@dextervandendowe8329]

PETER. If you get Fitzpatrick on here then I will subscribe!

[@frontrowrugby]

Hahaha ... well Fitzpatrick didn't play for the Springboks so he doesn't really qualify to be on this channel.

[@dextervandendowe8329]

Nobody would bat an eyelid if you got him on. Your show is FRONTROW rugby ....come on! Almost every 95 bok talks about him... why not get the horse in and get it straight from the😲...@@frontrowrugby

[@seanpinkey8798]

New Zealand? Not sure!

[@frontrowrugby]

New Zealand was second. The week before it was those dirty Wallabies. Same day as a very good friend of mine's wedding actually. He had the foresight to get married after the match though! Good boy!

[@seanpinkey8798]

@@frontrowrugby well I have to get some answers wrong every now & then!But looking back now that Wallaby test was in Perth( lot's of SA's live there- only a 9 hour flight from Jhb!).

[@frontrowrugby]

Haha, yes indeed. We had our chances to win that Test in Perth but just couldn't quite get the job done that day.

[@theunskoch7406]

Hi Peter , is there any other way that I can contact you?

[@frontrowrugby]

Sure, Theuns. You can email me: [e-mail]

[@WarrenFelix]

❤️💚🙏❤️🇿🇦🫡

[@craigmorgan4676]

Probably the wallabies just saffas luck!😬🙈🙈👎

[@sakabula2357]

Lol...spot on

[@frontrowrugby]

It was indeed those pesky Aussies.

[@chrismouton1985]

André Venter was one of my favourite rugby players of all time. Hard as nails, massive workrate and incredible speed for a man his size. Great interview! I'm really glad to see that he's doing good in his circumstances.

[@frontrowrugby]

Venter was unbelievable as a player. No one could say otherwise. I was so happy I could get him on the show. He is an inspiration.