Ryan Kankowski
 Kankowski in 2008 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 14 October 1985 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Port Elizabeth, South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 106 kg (234 lb; 16 st 10 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | St Andrew's College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Ryan Kankowski (born 14 October 1985) is a South African professional rugby union player, who played for the South Africa national rugby union team between 2007 and 2012.
Kankowski plays at number eight or openside flanker.
Kankowski was first selected to represent South Africa during the Springboks 2007 end of year tour to Wales and England. He made a try-scoring test debut on the tour as a substitute during South Africa's 34–12 victory over Wales at the Millennium Stadium on 24 November 2007.
Thirteen of his twenty test caps were earned as a substitute. His most productive year was in 2008, receiving award nominations for his performances at Super Rugby and provincial level and was subsequently rewarded by being part of the Springboks Incoming Tour, their Tri Nations squad and their end of year Outgoing Tour. He was also part of the Springbok squad selected to play three tests against the British & Irish Lions on their tour of South Africa in 2009.
In June 2012, it was announced that he would join Japanese team Toyota Verblitz for six months.[1] He would miss the 2012 Currie Cup Premier Division season with theSharks, but would return to theSharks for the 2013 Super Rugby season.[2]
In June 2017, it was announced that Kankowski would join the Golden Lions for the 2017 Currie Cup season.[3]
Awards and nominations[edit]
- 2008 SA Rugby Player of the Year nominee
- 2008 Sasol Player of the Year nominee
- 2008 Vodacom Super 14 South African Player of the Year
- 2008 ABSA Currie Cup – Premier Division Player of the Year nominee
References[edit]
- ^ "Sharks To Release Kankowski". Sharks. 21 June 2012. Retrieved 21 June 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Sharks leaving Kankowski at home | Planet Rugby". Planet Rugby. 19 April 2013. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
- ^ "Kankowski set to join Lions". Sport. Retrieved 22 January 2018.
External links[edit]
- "SA Rugby Player Profile – Ryan Kankowski". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 10 March 2016.
- SARugby.com profile
- Sharks profile
- itsrugby.co.uk profile
- www.ryankankowski.co.za
- Springbok Rugby Hall of Fame
- Living people
- 1985 births
- South African rugby union players
- South Africa international rugby union players
- Sharks (rugby union) players
- Sharks (Currie Cup) players
- Rugby union number eights
- Alumni of St. Andrew's College, Grahamstown
- South African people of Polish descent
- White South African people
- Toyota Industries Shuttles Aichi players
- South African expatriate rugby union players in Japan
- South Africa international rugby sevens players
- Male rugby sevens players
- Rugby sevens players at the 2006 Commonwealth Games
- Commonwealth Games rugby sevens players for South Africa
- Rugby union players from Gqeberha