Volksblad, Bloemfontein - The Springbok (rugby players) are no longer what they used to be. The tale of 
the tape and scale tell us they are bigger and stronger than a hundred years ago. 

Research undertaken by Professor Hans de Ridder of the school for biokinetics and sports science 
at the North-West University (Puk campus), as well as Edri Meyer, a post-graduate student, 
shows that the Boks are on average nearly 23kg heavier and about 10cm taller than the players 
who wore the green and gold a century ago. 

On average the Springboks now weigh 99.2kg, compared to the 76kg a hundred years ago. 

The forwards on average weigh about 110.8kg and backs about 87.5kg. A century ago it was about 
83kg and 72kg. They are also taller - on average 1.86m in their socks, exactly 10cm taller than 
the 1.76cm of the past. 

De Ridder says there are several reasons why the Boks are taller and heavier. People worldwide 
are becoming heavier and taller. 

Evolution differs from place to place, but on average people are growing between 1 and 2cm taller 
and between 1 and 3kg heavier every decade. 

Improved nutrition and supplements also lead to bigger players. 

"The training methods are also more professional and scientific. The players are doing, for example, 
a lot of strength exercises in the gymnasium, which increases muscle mass," De Ridder said. 

The Springbok's biokineticist, Derik Coetzee, has been informed of these findings. De Ridder and 
Coetzee will add the players' length and weight to the data base on an annual basis to ascertain if 
the tendency continues. 

It is hoped to eventually determine when the evolution pattern evens out. 

De Ridder thinks it is important that attention is given to this research, because it could have 
an influence on injury tendencies. 

"It's not just a bigger opponent you have to tackle, but it also puts a bigger burden on the muscles 
and ligaments." 

Similar research in other rugby playing countries like England, France, Australia and New Zealand 
show the same pattern among players: "All the teams look very similar at present. It's just the 
French backs who are smaller."

Source: http://www.news24.com/News24/Sport/Rugby/0,,2-9-838_1938854,00.html1