// Workers AI · dad joke modeIs Graham Knoop a baker? Because he kneads attention.
| Born | 1987 (age 38–39) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Height | 1.92 m (6 ft 3+1⁄2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 105 kg (231 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Graham Knoop (born 1987) is a South African former rugby player and current coach.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Knoop attended Western Province Preparatory School (WPPS) for his junior education.[2]
Playing career
[edit]Knoop's playing career included professional, provincial, and club rugby. He played as a blindside flanker for Ospreys in Wales, and had a lengthy club career with False Bay.[3][4][5] At club level, he played for False Bay from 2010 to 2021, where he served as captain for their 2016 league and 2017 Gold Cup victories and he was named South African Club Player of the Year 2017.[6][7][8] He also appeared for the UCT Ikey Tigers in the 2012 Varsity Cup.
Coaching career
[edit]After retiring from playing, Knoop moved into coaching. He has coached the U19 1st XV teams at Bishops, SACS, and Wynberg Boys' High School.
In 2022, he was appointed forwards coach for the Zimbabwe Sables.[9] During his tenure, the team rose in the World Rugby Rankings. He played a significant role in the team's participation in the Africa Cup and the 2023 World Cup qualifiers.[10][11]
Since 2023, Knoop has served as head coach of the Florida-based rugby team, the Pelicans, leading them to state finals in 2023, 2024 and 2025 .[12]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Graham KNOOP - Player statistics - Year stats - It's rugby". www.itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-12-17.
- ↑ "1st XV Rugby Tour 2013 – Grahamstown" (PDF). Western Province Preparatory School. June 2013. p. 6. Retrieved 17 July 2024.
- ↑ Jonck, Johan. "DHL Western Province Team head to Strand to take on SWD | 15.co.za | | Rugby News, Live Scores, Results, Fixtures". Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ↑ "Graham KNOOP profile and stats". all.rugby. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ↑ "Ultimate Rugby - Graham Knoop". Retrieved 2024-07-10.
- ↑ "Gold Cup triumph for False Bay". News24. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ↑ Bruyn, Mike De. "Superb payoff for False Bay's collective effort to be champs". IOL. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ↑ "DHL Stormers leaders up for top award". The Official Website for the DHL Stormers. 2017-11-04. Retrieved 2025-12-15.
- ↑ "Making Zimbabwe rugby great again". Bishops OD Alumni Network. 2021-06-03. Retrieved 2025-12-17.
- ↑ "PressReader.com - Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions". www.pressreader.com. Retrieved 2025-12-17.
- ↑ "ZRU give Dawson 2023 Rugby World Cup mandate". herald. 2020-07-04. Retrieved 2025-12-17.
- ↑ "Rugby in Florida - Clubs | The Rugby Club | N/A | N/A". rugbyfl.com. Retrieved 2025-12-17.