Background
Russell was born in Portuguese Elizabeth, but was schooled at Selborne College in East London.
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Brent Russell
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He is a "utility back" (capable of playing fullback, fly-half or wing) who plays for Clermont in the French Top 14. He also featured frequently in the Springbok squad before his departure for Europe. He was quickly brought up to international rugby level when he was selected for the 2002 Springboks team after making a good impression whilst in the national sevens team
In that year, he scored an especially memorable try in the Tri Nations against the Australian Wallabies in which he wriggled out of a seemingly sure tackle and successfully eluded several Wallabies on his way to the tryline.
However, he has not been able to consistently break into the Boks lineup in recent years. He is a relatively small player, but what he lacks in size and strength he makes up in speed, acceleration, agility and creativity.
He is widely considered to be one of the most dangerous backline players in South Africa for this very reason as he has the ability to score a try "out of nothing". Unfortunately Russell is a victim of his own versatility, with coaches unsure in which position to place him.
Although a favourite with the fans and a player of outstanding talent, he made few starts for the Sharks during the 2005/06 season, forcing him to make a move to Western Province where it was said he would be given plenty of game time and would also see him play at fly-half for the Stormers in the Super 14 rather than the utility role he fulfilled at the Sharks.
Russell signed for Saracens F.C. in time for their campaign in 2007. In 2008 Russell signed for American Society for Microbiology Clermont Auvergne in the French Top 14.
Achievements
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Born
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Nationality
South Africa