Pieter Muller

Pieter Gysbert Muller (born 5 May 1969) is a former international South Africa rugby union player.[1] A centre, he was known for his strength and direct running.

Pieter Muller
Birth namePieter Gysbert Muller
Date of birth (1969-05-05) 5 May 1969
Place of birthBloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
Height1.87 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight100 kg (220 lb)
SchoolGrey College, Bloemfontein
Notable relative(s)Helgard Muller (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1992–1995 College Rovers ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
→1996–1997
2000–2004		 Toulouse, France
Cardiff Blues		 ?
80		 ()
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1990–1991
1992–1995
1997–1999		 Free State
Natal
Natal/Sharks		 27

64		 ()
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1992–1999 South Africa 33 (15)

Rugby union career

As a schoolboy, Muller represented Free State at the Craven Week tournaments in 1987 and 1988 and on both occasions were selected for the SA Schools team. He made his provincial debut for Free State in 1990, after spending some time playing club rugby in Ireland for Greystones R.F.C. In 1992, Muller joined Natal and was a member of the Currie Cup winning team in 1992. He suffered a serious neck injury early in 1995 that required time away from rugby, after which he tried rugby league and spent time in France playing for Toulouse. In 1997, Muller returned to the Sharks and in 2000 he joined Cardiff Blues in Wales.[2][3]

His first test match for the Springboks was in 1992 against the All Blacks at Ellis Park in Johannesburg and he scored a try on debut.[4] Muller played 33 test matches for the Springboks and was a member of the 1999 World Cup squad. His last test match for South Africa was the third place playoff at the 1999 World Cup against New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Muller also played in 19 tour matches for the Springboks and scored 7 tries.[5]

Test history
No.OppositionResult (SA 1st)PositionTriesDateVenue
1. New Zealand24–27Centre115 August 1992Ellis Park, Johannesburg
2. Australia3–26Centre22 August 1992Newlands, Cape Town
3. France20–15Centre17 October 1992Stade de Gerland, Lyon
4. France16–29Centre24 October 1992Parc des Princes, Paris
5. England16–33Centre14 November 1992Twickenham, London
6. France20–20Centre26 June 1993Kings Park, Durban
7. France17–18Centre3 July 1993Ellis Park, Johannesburg
8. Australia19–12Centre131 July 1993Aussie Stadium (SFG), Sydney
9. Australia20–28Centre14 August 1993Ballymore Stadium, Brisbane
10. Australia12–19Centre21 August 1993Aussie Stadium (SFG), Sydney
11. Argentina29–26Centre6 November 1993Ferrocarril Oeste Stadium, Buenos Aires
12. Argentina52–23Centre13 November 1993Ferrocarril Oeste Stadium, Buenos Aires
13. England15–32Centre4 June 1994Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
14. England27–9Centre11 June 1994Newlands, Cape Town
15. New Zealand14–22Centre9 July 1994Carisbrook, Dunedin
16. Scotland34–10Centre19 November 1994Murrayfield, Edinburgh
17. Wales20–12Centre26 November 1994Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
18. Ireland37–13Centre13 June 1998Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
19. Ireland33–0Centre20 June 1998Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
20. Wales96–13Centre27 June 1998Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
21. England18–0Centre4 July 1998Newlands, Cape Town
22. Australia14–13Centre18 July 1998Subiaco Oval, Perth
23. New Zealand13–3Centre25 July 1998Athletic Park, Wellington
24. New Zealand24–23Centre15 August 1998Kings Park, Durban
25. Australia29–15Centre29 August 1998Ellis Park, Johannesburg
26. Italy74–3Centre12 June 1999Boet Erasmus, Port Elizabeth
27. Wales19–29Centre26 June 1998Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
28. New Zealand0–28Centre10 July 1999Carisbrook, Dunedin
29. Australia6–32Centre17 July 1999Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
30. Spain47–3Centre110 October 1999Murrayfield, Edinburgh
31. England44–21Centre24 October 1999Stade De France, Paris
32. Australia21–27Centre30 October 1999Twickenham, London
33. New Zealand22–18Centre4 November 1999Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Rugby league

In 1996, Muller also had an unsuccessful stint playing for Australian rugby league side Penrith Panthers, in the Winfield Cup, making only a handful of appearances in the two years of his contract. Muller then returned to South Africa and club rugby before once again representing the Springboks.

Accolades

Muller was voted as one of the five Young Players of the Year for 1991, along with Hennie le Roux, Pieter Hendriks, Johan Nel and Jacques Olivier.

Personal

He is the brother of Helgard Muller, also former Springboks rugby player. Muller resides in Cape Town (Hout Bay) and is closely involved with the SA Rugby Legends.

See also

References
  1. "Pieter Muller". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  2. "**EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW - PIETER MULLER**". 1876 Cardiff Rugby. Retrieved 4 November 2019.
  3. Schoeman, Chris (2004). Vodacom who's who of South African rugby 2004 : a comprehensive guide to the South African players, officials, media and competitions (8th ed.). Cape Town: Who's Who of SA Rugby. p. 165. ISBN 0620261889. OCLC 56517006.
  4. Jooste, Graham K. (1995). South African rugby test players 1949-1995. Johannesburg: Penguin. p. 125. ISBN 0140250174. OCLC 36916860.
  5. Grieb, Eddie (2016). SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY ANNUAL 2016. Cape Town: SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY. p. 179. ISBN 978-0620692908. OCLC 957740131.
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