Stransky, Joel

Joel Theodore Stransky

One of South Africa's greatest rugby players in the 1990s, Stransky was a fly-half for the Springboks. In the opening match of the 1995 World Cup, the first in which South Africa could participate following the collapse of apartheid, Stransky became the 12th player -- and first South African in history -- to score all four possible ways in one game (a try, a conversion, four penalty goals and a dropgoal) as South Africa defeated Austrialia, 27-18.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. July 16, 1967

Career Highlights:
A fly-half, Stransky played for the Natal Sharks in 1990 when he scored 195 points in 14 games in the and a record 304 in all games. Three years later, on July 31, 1993 he made his debut on the South African National team (Springboks) in a match against Australia (Wallabies) in Sydney. Two weeks later, Stransky scored his first international points with one try, two conversions, and two penalties in a 28-20 loss to Australia in Brisbane.

In June 1995, Stransky made history as South Africa participated in the World Cup for the first time. In their opening match against Australia, Joel scored in all four ways as South African won, 27-18. The Springboks advanced to the final, where they faced New Zealand (All-Blacks). In front of 62,000 people, Stransky was outstanding as he scored all 15 points (three penalties, two dropgoals) in South Africa's 15-12 victory in extra time to capture the World Cup.

Stransky played 10 more times for South Africa and finished with 237 points in his international career. He retired from international competition in 1996, the same year he began to play for the Leicester Tigers. In 1998, he scored a club record 459 points and finished his career with Leicester with 896 career points in 73 matches. He retired from rugby in 1999 due to a leg injury.

Origin:
Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

Career Statistics:
International caps: 22

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