Joubert made his bittersweet international debut against the All Blacks in Cape Town on July 21, 2001, in which he sustained a serious knee injury.
The fleet footed Joubert played the majority of his 30 Tests outside Paarl Gym and Western Province teammate De Wet Barry. The duo shared a then Springbok record midfield partnership before being overtaken by Jean de Villiers and Jaque Fourie.
Joubert will forever be remembered for his sensational performance against New Zealand at Ellis Park on August 14, 2004, when he became only the second Springbok in history – after the legendary Ray Mordt in 1981 – to score a hat-trick of tries against the All Blacks. Joubert, along with partner-in-crime Barry, was nominated for the SA Player of the Year that same year, but lost out to Schalk Burger.
Joubert came through the ranks and represented the South African U21, U23 and A teams. He made his provincial debut for Boland Cavaliers but played most of his provincial rugby in Cape Town for Western Province and the Stormers. He spent the 2007 season with the Cheetahs before departing to France to play for Top 14 side Clermont.
Records/Honours:
SA Young Player of the Year nominee, 2000Member of the Springbok Tri-Nations winning squad, 2004SA Player of the Year nominee, 2004