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Robbie Fleck is remembered as one of the most committed and passionate men ever to pull on the Springbok shirt, but unfortunately not all Springbok coaches totally appreciated the free spirited attitude and style that radiated from him when he was off the field! At his sublime best, he had all the qualities of a world-class centre: he had blistering pace, was audacious in attack always looking to turn defence to offence, devastating on the crash ball, and a fine cover tackler. An aggressive, fiercely determined competitor, "Flekkie" would often resort to his own ingenuity and gamesmanship to turn a match and few opponents got the better of him.
He won a total of 31 caps for South Africa with an impressive scoring record of ten tries, a strike rate of one in three, which gives an idea of the sheer exhilaration of Fleck at his best. He first came to national prominence in the 1998 Currie Cup season, where his powerful running and intimidating tackling helped Western Province to the Final. SA Rugby took the decision to move from Provincial to Regional participation in the Rugby Super 12 and Fleck became a key player for the Stormers team, playing 48 matches for them between 1998 and 2003, and scoring 16 tries for a tally of 80 points. In 1998 he played for the Emerging Springboks when they shocked Wales, winning 31-15, and toured the British Isles with the Springboks later that year, but didn't make the test side.
He won his first Springbok cap against Italy at Port Elizabeth in June 1999, aged 23, scoring a try in South Africa's 74 - 3 win. Fleck will forever be remembered for his outstanding display against the All Blacks in a Tri-Nations clash at Ellis Park in 2000. After being dropped by Nick Mallett, in favour of Grant Esterhuizen, Fleck was given a reprieve when De Wet Barry picked up a hamstring injury, and he scored two wonderful tries, repeatedly carving open the All Black's much-vaunted defence. He further enhanced his reputation as a world-class player during the 1999 World Cup where South Africa finished third; and was elevated to the Springbok vice-captaincy in 2001. He was prone to injury during much of his career; injury cut short his 2001 season and kept him out of test action for most of the 2002 season.
Robbie made his last appearance for South Africa in the 53-3 defeat by England at the end of 2002. Having won almost everything in South African rugby, and tempted by the big money available at the top English clubs, he moved to Bath Rugby Club in October 2003. Barely three hours after touching down at Heathrow airport, Fleck was on the training field with his Bath Rugby team mates preparing for a sell-out Zurich Premiership match against Leicester Tigers! He spent two years at Bath, unfortunately spending several long periods out with injuries including a broken leg and a serious calf injury, but became a respected and popular member of the club, as well as an outstanding mentor for Bath's young players. Robbie Fleck remains one of Newlands and Bath Rugby's favourite sons. (Malcolm Finch)
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