List of top South African rugby players playing overseas

May 02, 2024

South African rugby players playing overseas are scattered across the world. While some players moved abroad permanently, others are temporarily there. Many sportsmen would not forego chances to relocate overseas for any deal-breakers that will tie them within South Africa. How many professional rugby players are in South Africa? There are over 400,000 South African rugby players 2020. COVID-19 prevented South Africa Ruby Union (SARU) from sending its team to Australia because they were concerned about their welfare.

Argentina’s team was waiting for Springboks when SARU confirmed SA’s withdrawal from 2020 Rugby Championship in Australia. Japan and Europe are common destinations for most Springboks playing abroad. Robert du Preez plays for Sale, and Dillyn Leyds is in Wasps in England. Malcolm Marx is making it big in Japan’s NTT Shining Arcs. The Springboks women team qualified for 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup last season.

South African born rugby players abroad

SARU changed its player contracting and management approach after noting SA rugby players going overseas in large numbers. Prominent Springboks players took contracts from wealthy European and Japanese clubs. The clubs offered the sports professionals lucrative salaries that SARU and associated franchises could not afford to pay them. Below is a list of South African rugby players playing overseas.

1. Faf de Klerk

The 27-year-old was born in Nelspruit and schooled in Pretoria. He joined Blue Bullas at the age of 16 years. Faf went to Golden Lions, and Springboks took him later. Sale Sharks, a rugby team in England, gave him a 21 million rand contract in May 2017. It was a three-year agreement. He is not yet married, but he has a girlfriend called Miné van Niekerk.

2. Jean-Luc du Preez

The celebrity was born on 5th August 1995 in Durban, and he studied at Kearsney College and Sharks Academy. Jean represented KwaZulu-Natal in the U13 and U18 Craven Weeks. He played in South Africa's 2015 and 2015 Junior World Championship. He also played for Springboks before moving to Sale Sharks in England.

3. Daniel du Preez

He was born on 5th August 1995 in Durban. He takes the locker or flanker or number eight position and plays for Sale Sharks in the English Premiership and Sharks in Super Rugby. Daniel is a storm to reckon while on the pitch.

4. Jacques Vermeulen

He was born on 8th February 1995 in Paarl, South Africa. The Springboks sportsperson also plays for Exeter Chiefs in the Gallagher Premiership in England, where he has a two-year contract. Vermeulen started playing rugby at a tender age by representing Western Province while in primary school.

5. Robert du Preez

Robert has an impressive record, and he is the head coach of the Sharks Super Rugby team. The former South African international rugby union player was born in Durban on 30th July 1993. His regular position was scrum-half.

6. Duane Vermeulen

He plays for Springboks in South Africa and Kubota Spears in Japan. Duan was born and raised in Nelspruit. He is married to Ezel Vermeulen, and they have a son. The celebrity has played for the Stormers and the Cheetahs in South Africa.

7. Eben Etzebeth

He was born on 29th October 1991 in Cape Town, South Africa. The Stormers professional also played for NTT Docomo Red Hurricanes in Japan. He went to the Toulon rugby team in France for a two-year contract. He is not married, but he has a girlfriend.

8. Cheslin Kolbe

He had a beautiful wedding this year at Stellenbosch. Kolbe left Stade Ernest-Wallon for a three-year contract in Toulouse. The former sportsperson of Stormers did not make it to play for Springboks in 2016 even though he desired to join the team.

9. RG Snyman

The SARU player played for Honda Heat in Japan, and he is now in Munster in Nothern Ireland, UK. Snyman and his fiance, Saskia Redelinghuys, got engaged in 2019. RG was born on 29th January 1995 in the Potchefstroom, North West Province, South Africa.

South African rugby players in England

How many South African rugby players play in England? Over forty professionals from South Africa are in Europe. Although most clubs in England do not offer accommodation, food and other basic things to players who they sign up from other countries, it is still a preferred destination for many South African sports experts.

South African rugby players in France

France is a gateway for raw rugby talent. Rugby clubs in France sign sportspeople directly from South African rugby schools. Who is the best South African rugby player? There are several South African legendary rugby players. Uli Schmidt, Schalk Brits, Akona Ndungane and Siya Kolisi are on this list. Here are some of the South African sports professionals who are in France.

South African rugby players in Japan

In 2019, three South African born rugby players joined Japan’s 31-man squad ahead of the Rugby World Cup tournament. There are more Mzansi's top sportspeople making it big in Japan in 2020. These sportsmen are:

South African rugby players playing for other countries

Who is the shortest South African rugby player? Tommy Gentles was the smallest Springbok player in history. He passed away on 14th July 2020. There are several South African rugby players in Australia. Below are names of several SA's best sportspeople who are in other European countries and Australia.

South African rugby players paying overseas are the pride of the country. The above list of South African sports professionals abroad does exhaust the names of all the players. More foreign countries prepare contracts to hire more players from South Africa.

Have you seen images of the posh homes of South African celebrities? We was privileged to share the public pictures of houses that belong to DJ Zinhle, Cassper Nyovest, Bonang Matheba, Somizi and five more renowned celebrities in the country.

You can tell that these celebrities do not squander their money on unnecessary lavish lifestyles but invest millions of Rands in long-term assets. You will find inspiring architectural home designs from these homes.

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