Tiaan Strauss Biography

Tiaan Strauss is a former top rugby player that managed to showcase his skill on the international stage for two countries: South Africa and Australia.

Christiaan Petrus Strauss was born in Upington in June 1965 and attended the local schools before making his way to Stellenbosch University where he studied law and completed his degree in 1990.

As was standard in the amateur era of the game, playing rugby as a part time activity was a feasible option, thus studying to complete his degree seemed the obvious choice. As he was stationed in the Western Cape, playing for the Western Province was another decision that was easily made. His Currie Cup debut for the club in 1986 was at the age of 21 years old.

He joined at the end of the so-called “golden era” for the club, missing out on a winning spree with legends like Carel and Michael Du Plessis, Calla Scholtz, and Schalk Burger Snr. He stayed at Western Province for almost a decade, making 156 appearances and winning two Currie Cup trophies, one of which was shared with the Bulls.

Tiaan Strauss made his debut for the Springboks in 1992 playing against France at number 8. The Springboks won the game 20 - 15.

The big man went on to earn 15 caps for the Springboks, scoring four tries between 1992 and 1994.

He would end up moving to Australia before the 1995 Rugby World Cup and thus lose his chance to represent his country at the famous tournament.

While in Australia, however, he enjoyed some local rugby playing for the Cronulla Sharks for two seasons before moving on to New South Wales Waratahs in 1998. He stayed there for two years.

In 1999 Tiaan Strauss would get the call to join the Australian national team against Ireland. He made his debut in Australian colours on 12 June in Brisbane coming on as a substitute to score a hatrick in an incredible display.

His continued efforts would see him included in the Australian 1999 Rugby World Cup squad. His final game for the country was in the World Cup against Wales in the quarter final.

Tiaan Strauss showed that the South African spirit of rugby is not something that is easily diminished even when abroad. His Rugby World Cup win proved that whatever the environment, South African rugby finds a way to shine through.