Rugby
Griquas appoint Van den Berg as assistant coach─── 09:54 Fri, 18 Oct 2019
Tafel Lager Griquas has pleasure in announcing the appointment of Albert van den Berg as the newly appointed assistant coach. Albert will be taking charge of the team’s defensive responsibilities as well as coaching of the forwards.
Albert van den Berg is a former South African rugby union rugby player. He is married to Estelle and have two kids, Philip and Michelle.
Albert matriculated at Vryburg High school in 1992. After school he moved to Vanderbijlpark where he started working for Iscor. He played rugby for Vaal Triangle from 1993 to 1995 where he was coached by Gerrie Sonnekus.
During this time, he was scouted by Andre Markgraaff and was offered the opportunity to come to Kimberley to play for Griquas from 1996-1999. During this time Albert represented Griquas 55 times.
He made his international debut for South Africa on the 12th June 1999 in a test match against Italy in Port Elizabeth. Subsequently he was then selected by Nick Mallet for South Africa's 1999 Rugby World Cup squad in England and Wales. During this World Cup Albert played 5 matches which included a match against Uruguay where he scored 2 tries in the pool stages. The following season he moved to the Sharks from Griquas. He was a member of the Sharks from 2000 till 2009, playing in 172 games for them. During this time, he was coached by Rudolf Straeuli, John Plumtree and Dick Muir. He was also selected by Jake White to represent South Africa during the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France, finishing the tournament as World Cup winners. He retired from International Rugby at the end of 2007, playing a total of 51 tests for the Springboks. In 2010 he moved to Japan, playing for Canon Eagles in the Top League from 2010 till 2013.
At the age of 39 he retired from professional rugby and moved back to South Africa.
He started his coaching career at The Sharks Academy in 2014. After two years at the Sharks, he moved back to Japan to coach Canon Eagles from 2015 till 2018.
“We are very pleased to have secured the services of Albert, he is an accomplished coach who will add massive value to the Griquas program. His knowledge of the game is vast and will bring with him a wealth of experience from an illustrious career in the game. He knows the city of Kimberley and its people and I believe will make a positive impact in his time here.” said Scott Mathie – Head Coach, Tafel Lager Griquas.
