Johan Claassen
{{Short description|South African rugby union player (1929–2019)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
|name = Johannes Theodorus Claassen
|image = Johan Claassen 1956.jpg
|caption = Claassen in New Zealand in 1956
|birth_date = {{birth date|1929|09|23|df=y}}
|birth_place = Prince Albert, South Africa
|death_date = {{death date and age|2019|01|06|1929|09|23|df=y}}
|death_place = Pretoria
|position = Second-row forward
|clubs1 = Western Transvaal
|years1 = 1949–1962
|apps1 = 105
|repyears1 = 1955–1962
|repteam1 = South Africa
|repcaps1 = 28
|reppoints1 = 10
}}
Professor Johannes Theodorus Claassen (23 September 1929 – 6 January 2019) was a South African rugby player, playing at the second-row forward position.{{cite web|url=https://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Springboks/former-springbok-star-lock-and-coach-dies-20190107|title=Former Springbok star lock and coach, dies|date=7 January 2019|work=sport24}}
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.{{cite web | url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/03/11/johan-claassen-biblical-scholar-served-springboks-rugby-team/ | title=Johan Claassen, biblical scholar who served the Springboks rugby team as player, captain, coach, selector and manager – obituary | publisher=Telegraph | date=March 11, 2019 | accessdate=March 12, 2019}}
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. 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.thesouthafrican.com/former-springbok-captain-professor-johan-claassen-passes-away/|title=Former Springbok captain Professor Johan Claassen passes away|date=7 January 2019|work=The South African}}
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
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{{s-sports|ruc}}
{{s-bef|before=Salty du Rand}}
{{s-ttl|title=Springbok Captain|years=1955-1958}}
{{s-after|after=Des van Jaarsveldt}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Claassen, Johan}}
Category:South African rugby union players
Category:South African rugby union coaches
Category:People from Prince Albert Local Municipality
Category:South Africa international rugby union players
Category:South Africa national rugby union team captains
Category:Leopards (rugby union) players
Category:Rugby union players from the Western Cape
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