AJ Venter

Infobox Rugby biography
name = AJ Venter


caption = By Juiced Media (Pty) Ltd
birthname = Albertus Johannes Venter
nickname = AJ
birthyear = 1973
birthmonth = 07
birthday = 29
placeofbirth = Kastron, Bethulie, South Africa
dateofdeath =
placeofdeath =
height = convert|1.98|m|ftin|abbr=on
weight = convert|112|kg|stlb|abbr=on
ru_position = Versatile Forward
ru_amateuryears =
ru_amateurclubs =
ru_amupdate =
ru_nationalteam = flagicon|South Africa South Africa
ru_nationalyears = 2000-2007
ru_nationalcaps = 25
ru_nationalpoints = (0)
ru_ntupdate = 19 April 2007
ru_clubyears = 1996
ru_proclubs = flagicon|Italy Rovigo
ru_clubcaps = ?
ru_clubpoints = (?)
ru_clubupdate = 19th April 2007
ru_currentclub =
super14 = Golden Lions
Sharks
super14years =1998-1999
2000-
super14caps =20
80
super14points = (?)
(55)
super14currentclub =
super14update =28 April 2007
ru_province = Western Province
Natal Sharks
Golden Lions
Free State Cheetahs
ru_provinceyears =2008
2000-2008
1999
1997-98
ru_provincecaps =2
48
?
?
ru_provincepoints =(0)
(40)
(?)
(?)
ru_provinceupdate =9 September 2006
ru_sevensnationalyears =1998
ru_sevensnationalteam = flagicon|South Africa South Africa
ru_sevensnationalcomp = 1
ru_sevensnationalcaps = ?
ru_sevensnationalpoints = ?
ru_sevensupdate = 19 April 2007
ru_coachclubs =
ru_coachyears =
ru_coachupdate =
other = yes
occupation = Businessman
family =
spouse = Jenna Warlock
children =
relatives =
school = Technical High School Louis Botha, Bloemfontein
university =
URL = http://www.ajventer.com

AJ Venter (born 29 July, 1973) is a South African rugby union footballer. He currently plays for the Sharks in the international Super 14 competition, and the Natal Sharks in the domestic Currie Cup competition. Venter has also played for the South African national team, the Springboks.

Venter made his debut for South Africa on November 26, 2000 in a Test against Wales in Cardiff. He has over 20 caps for the Springboks. His usual position is as flanker but he has been known to play lock or 8th man.

International Retirement

AJ Venter was selected for the second-string squad for the away legs of the 2007 Tri Nations Series in Australia and New Zealand as almost 20 first team players were either rested or injured.But he decided to retire from International rugby and hence withdrew from Springboks touring squad.

His retirement means that he will also miss out on a possible World Cup place with the Springboks, but he has cited personal and business commitments in Durban and South Africa as his reasons for the retirement.

He however, will continue playing for Super 14 side the Sharks until the end of the 2008 Super 14 competition. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/6238294.stm]

He did however later in the year rekindle his passion for the game after a lack of game time including a contreversial exclusion from the sharks semi final team and with his freshened body he joined the stormers(western province) on a shot term contract.

Early career

References

Further reading

External links

* [http://www.sharksrugby.co.za/default.asp?Id=13915&des=content Sharks profile]
* [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/rugby-heroes/displayhero.asp?HeroID=2079 AJ Venter] on sporting-heroes.net
* [http://www.news24.com/News24/Sport/Rugby/0,,2-9-838_2082985,00.html AJ Venter to captain Sharks]
* [http://www.ajventer.com AJ Venter's Personal Web Page]