Robbie Diack has recently penned a new contract with Ulster, committing himself to the club for the next three years. More importantly though, Diack will be eligible to represent Ireland from July 2011, after being resident in the country for the requisite three-year period.
Ulster No.8 Robbie Diack grew up in Durban but made a name for himself with Western Province in the 2006 Currie Cup competition before then agreeing a move to Ravenhill.
Seemingly breaking out of nowhere, the former Stellenbosch student put himself into the Springbok frame thanks to his strong work off the base of the scrum and around the park during the domestic season.
Now based in Belfast, the South African has become an influential member of Brian McLaughlin’s squad and has gained both Magners League and Heineken Cup experience in recent seasons.
Diack adds great strength and bulk to any pack of forwards and is a player who still has a very bright future ahead of him.
Name: Robbie Diack
Date of Birth: 12/11/85
Position: Loose forward
Currently contracted to: Ulster Rugby
Height: 1.93m
Weight: 118kg
Will we see this man run out against his country of birth in the not too distant future? Only time will tell.
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Good for him!
Mornes all time favourite number 8 ❗ Overhyoed by the WP fans and hated by every other teams fans, Robbie left for Ireland to play for Ireland, that was always his goal.
We have Pierre Spies 🙄 👿 Who needs Robbie??
@Clayton(PJLD) (Comment 2) :
I always kinda liked the guy.. he was a good solid player.
Does anyone know whether Ireland has any decent No 8’s that he has to contend with? The oke is only 25 this year..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 4) : As did I, was probably the only WP forward at the time who never spent 80 minutes getting moered, I heard one name being mentioned yesterday cant remember it but ja, I reckon the spot is his.
I also liked Robbie Diack a lot… reminded me a fair bot of Sowerby in his youth.
Always rated him…
Is there any chance of the Boks running into Ireland at the World Cup next year?
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 8) :
If we win our group and Ireland are runners up we meet in the quaters if Im not mistaken ..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 4) :
Wallace is a monster on form ..not sure if he plays 8 permanetly but has been selected there before.
Given Irelands poor form last WC I expect them to be a handful this time round.We’ll have to be at our best to beat them ..
A win against them at home would do wonders for our confidence..
As far as I can remember, he had a great first season and then suffered from second season syndrome and left shortly after, mauch to my disappointment.
@CoffeeShopBok;-) (Comment 9) :
Oh well.. we shall see if he even gets the nod.. surely though..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 12) :
With Gert Smal there I wouldn’t be suprised , Would he be the 1st Saffa to play for Ireland ?
@CoffeeShopBok;-) (Comment 13) :
I have no idea.. but I am on a mission to find out..
Interesting question..
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 4) : There are a few Denis Leamy and a guy called Jamie Heaslip
@CoffeeShopBok;-) (Comment 13) : no. Dion O’Cuinnegean (or whatever) played for Ireland
@Fattmann (Comment 15) : you’r a guitarist, aren’t you?
I remember him yes. A somewhat quieter Saffa to go abroad.
Did anyone see Robbie playing against Aironi & Biarritz in the Heineken Cup??
Wow!!! The man is in the form of his life. Man of the Match against Aironi, and by far, the stand out player in the Ulster team against Biarritz.
Another Michaelhouse lad as well..
Fantastic No.8 especially in those conditions. Plays in a loose trio with Stephen Ferris and Pedrie Wanneburg for Ulster.
Jo Muller, BJ and Ruan also in the mix for Friday night Braaivleis over there.
@Sportbilly (Comment 20) :
Quite a South African contingent in the team.. wow!
Decent player, but was waaay over-hyped at the time. I keep hearing how great Sowerby is in France, but he was mediocre at the Sharks.
Good for Robbie that he is doing well in Ire, but thankfully we have loosies aplenty in SA.
his mom is in estcourt ( or was still last year )
i believe his dad is a doctor in estcourt
@Richard Ferguson (Comment 21) : Interesting that BJ, Ruan & Johan are all legendary Sharks.. Robbie Diack is a Michaelhouse Boy and Pedrie did a stint down in Durbs before he went to the Bulls I think.
I am sure they are all member’s of Sharkworld.
@Sportbilly (Comment 25) : haha… I see the Ulster fanboys are now referring to the Sharks as the “Ulster Development XV” 🙂
@robdylan (Comment 6) : @Charlie (Comment 7) : naas botha also rated him ( and i did ,too ..shame we lost such a talented schools player here at the sharks 🙁 )
@robdylan (Comment 16) : was their captain in that infamous 2 test series ireland vs bokke in 1998 ..wp if not mistaken (before his move to ireland ..but im sure he also rep sa in 7`s?)
@bergshark (Comment 27) : you know that Michaelhouse have never had a Bok? Lambie looks like he’ll be their first.
Quite a few Natal boys have gone to play for other countries makes me a bit bleak i won’t me -Rathbone, Rawlinson, Barrit, Mat Stevens…
dion o`cuinnegain went to rondebosch boys` .. rep sa 7`s team in 1995 HK 7`S ..interesting bit of info : his dad was from ireland ans his mom from england ,which means that he was eligible for both ireland and england ..his first move was to sale sharks in england ,then he went ballymena and thereafter ulster..
@robdylan (Comment 29) : would be great if someone like him could become their first springbok rep .. bit surprising though that there hasnt been any yet
@bergshark (Comment 28) : correction : made his test debut vs boks in bloem 1998 ..was capt in1999 to aus 😳
@RuckingFun (Comment 30) : 😐 😐
He’s a decent player but more suited to NH conditions. Big and bulky no 8. Had one very good season for Wee Pee when he was all the rage..but faded after that. Has been impressive in Ireland though.