Background
His father was George Claassen, a schoolmaster from Middelburg Hoërskool and winner of the 1961 Comrades Marathon between Pietermaritzburg and Durban.
His father was George Claassen, a schoolmaster from Middelburg Hoërskool and winner of the 1961 Comrades Marathon between Pietermaritzburg and Durban.
Bachelor of Architecture, University Pretoria, South Africa, 1978.
He was selected as eighth-man for Northern Transvaal whilst studying architecture at the University of Pretoria in the late 1970s. He formed a loose-trio with Thys Lourens and Burger Geldenhuys and soon had two Currie Cup final victories. In 1980 he moved to Natal and was selected for the Springboks in 1981, captaining the team on his debut against Ireland.
Claassen is credited with reviving rugby at the University of Natal, both as a player and later as a coach.
In 1988 he coached the Durban campus of the University of Natal to the Moor Cup title. In 1981 he earned international acclaim as captain during the infamous "Rebel Tour" in New Zealand.
Since retiring from the sport, he has maintained an active role in South African Rugby across the spectrum. He is often invited to the Captain"s Table at various fund raising events.
He has also earned great respect through his active involvement along with other s supporting AfriForum"s memorandum against political interference and racial discrimination in rugby.
On 12 August 2008, Wynand Claassen and a delegation of former s met with the South African Rugby Union as part of their campaign to express concerns and lobby against the use of race to determine team selection. In this meeting they expressed their intent to send a memorandum to the International Rugby Board. They assert that racial discrimination in sport and team selection is in conflict with international sporting regulations.
His autobiography, "More Than Just Rugby" was published in 1985.
Wynand Claassen was an honorary host on the Amabokoboko Blue Train which departed in June 2009 on a rare and distinguished journey from Pretoria. He played host to exclusive guests en route to watch the Springboks vs the British & Irish Lions in their first test match in Durban.
Trustee Chris Burger Rugby Players Memorial Fund, Cape Town, 1984-1998. Member Institute South African Architects, South African Rugby Supporters Club (chairman board directors since 1996).
Married Jeanette Delport, December 10, 1982. Children: Antonie, Jeanelle, Jeanrá, Jeanandi.