A physical and abrasive second-rower in his day, Philippus Albertus van den Berg played provincial and international rugby in South Africa as a powerful second-rower.
van Den Berg started his career at Valke before moving to Griquas in the late 90s. He amassed over 50 appearances for the side from Kimberley.
He joined the Cats in 1999 which led to a Springbok later that year debuting against Italy on 12 June 1999 in a test match against Italy at EPRFU Stadium in Port Elizabeth.
He played in the subsequent match against Italy, though he started at lock in the second test. He then played in two matches during the 1999 Tri Nations Series, against the New Zealand national rugby union team at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, which South Africa lost, and a match against Australia at Newlands in Cape Town, which South Africa won by one point, 10 to nine.
He was then selected in South Africa's 1999 Rugby World Cup squad for Wales. He played in five matches for the Springboks during the tournament, including scoring two tries in the 39 to three win over Uruguay during the pool stages. The following season he moved from the Griquas to the Sharks.
He continued to be a regular for the Springboks from then on and featured for the Sharks between 2000 and 2009. He was part the Springboks 2007 Rugby World Cup-winning squad.
In 2009, he left the Sharks for a stint in Japan with the Canon Eagles. He finished his career in 2013, going straight into coaching with Canon Eagles following his retirement. He also worked with the Sharks' Vodacom Cup team as well as Toyota Verblitz.
He linked up with the Griquas for the 2020 Super Rugby Unlocked season but joined the Lions coaching staff in 2021.
JW September 2021.
Career
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Lions Assistant Coach |
2021 - present |
 |
Scarlets Coach |
2023 - present |
 |
South Africa No 4 Lock |
1999 - 2007 |
 |
Sharks No 4 Lock |
2000 - 2009 |
 |
Natal Sharks No 4 Lock |
2000 - 2009 |
 |
Yokohama Canon Eagles No 4 Lock |
|
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Griquas Assistant Coach |
1997 - 2021 |
