Steve Atherton (full name Stephen Atherton, born 17 March 1965) is a South African former professional rugby union player who played as a lock or flanker.
Early Life and Background
Atherton was born in Gosport, Hampshire, England, and attended Pinetown Boys' High School in South Africa. He stands 2 m (6 ft 7 in) tall and weighed 117 kg (18 st 6 lb) during his playing career.
Playing Career
Provincial and Super Rugby
Atherton represented the Natal Schools team at the annual Craven Week in 1984 in Bloemfontein, alongside future Springboks Gary Teichmann and Joel Stransky. He made his debut for the Natal senior side in 1988 and went on to play 165 matches for Natal over a thirteen-year period. He was a member of the Currie Cup winning teams in 1990, 1992, and 1996. He also played for the Sharks in Super Rugby from 1998 to 2000.
International Career
Atherton toured with the Springboks to France and England in 1992 but did not play in any test matches on that tour. He made his test debut for South Africa during the 1993 tour of Argentina, playing in the first test on 5 November 1993 at the Ferrocarril Oeste Stadium in Buenos Aires. Over his international career, he played in eight test matches and fifteen tour matches for the Springboks, scoring one try in a tour match.
Other Notable Individuals Named Steve Atherton
The name "Steve Atherton" is also associated with several other professionals in different fields:
- Golf Instructor: A PGA Master Professional and Director of the Golf Sports Medicine Program at the Steadman Philippon Research Institute (SPRI) in Vail, Colorado. He has been named Colorado PGA Teacher of the Year and listed in Golf Digest's Best Young Teachers in America.
- Business Executive: A Chief Executive Officer (Interim) for Rhomberg Sersa Rail Group North America, and an Information Technology Advisor in the renewable energy sector.
- Attorney: A criminal defense lawyer at Atherton Huth Law Office in Emporia, Kansas.
