Japie Mulder, Alberton’s Rugby World Cup winner
After 34 test matches and several trophies, Mulder decided to hang up his boots to focus on running his own company.
Japie Mulder was part of the famous 1995 Springbok team that managed to win the Rugby World Cup against the All Blacks in front of a packed Ellis Park stadium.
Mulder is also a resident of Alberton and a former coach of Union Rugby Club.
The RECORD recently caught up with him to find out about his playing time, and career after playing.
Mulder is the son of former Eastern Transvaal player Koos Mulder and spent his whole school career in Springs before starting to study geology at Rand Afrikaanse University (now UJ).
It was during his time at RAU that he was discovered and later selected to play for Transvaal (now known as the Golden Lions).
Shortly after he made his debut for the Lions in 1991, he played in his first Currie Cup final. It was only in 1993 that he lifted his first silverware with the Lions when they won the 1993 Super 10 competition, as well as the Currie Cup.
In 1994 Mulder was selected for the Springboks for the first time to face the All Blacks in New Zealand, making him one of the best centres in the country at that stage.
“1995 final was stressful since I conceded a penalty late in the match, which handed the lead to the All Blacks. A few moments later Joel Stransky levelled the scores, saving me from the earlier infringement. I was so tired after the win that I only started with the celebrations the next day,” said Mulder.
Mulder was privileged to play in both the amateur and professional eras during his career.
After 34 test matches and several trophies, Mulder decided to hang up his boots to focus on running his own company.
“If I had the chance to play rugby again I will do it again,” said Mulder.
