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Fullbacks: Gaffie du Toit, Percy Montgomery, Brent Russell
Required skills: The fullback is often referred to as the ‘last line of defence’, expected to tackle any players who get past the other defenders and to handle the high kicks sent downfield by the opposition. Thus the fullback carries a serious responsibility and needs to keep a cool head under pressure. He is also one of the team's most valuable attackers, who can come speeding suddenly into the attack at a well-timed moment. Physically, he must be something of an all-rounder, but with greatest emphasis on speed, agility, ball-handling skills and the ability to kick well from the hands.
Required fitness level: Fullbacks must be able to make 1.65 sec in the 10 metres, 5.10 seconds in the 40 metres, 130 kg in the bench press, 160 kg in the squat and a vertical jump of 68 cm. They should have no more than 9% body fat.
Injuries to watch out for: Players at fullback are vulnerable to leg injuries as a result of running, swerving and side-stepping at speed, particularly torn tendons and ligaments of the ankle and knee. Injuries from being tackled hard at speed include fractures and sometimes concussion. Neck, shoulder, back and trunk injuries may also occur.
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