Ethienne Reynecke

Ethienne Reynecke (born 20 March 1982) is a South African rugby union player.[1] His primary position is hooker.

Ethienne Reynecke
Full nameEthienne Reynecke
Date of birth (1982-03-20) 20 March 1982
Place of birthJohannesburg, South Africa
Height1.79 m (5 ft 10+1⁄2 in)
Weight102 kg (16 st 1 lb; 225 lb)
SchoolHugenote High School, Springs
UniversityRand Afrikaans University
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker
Current team retired
Youth career
2000–2002 Golden Lions
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2003–2004 Golden Lions 1 (0)
2005 Griffons 17 (10)
2003–2009 Golden Lions 53 (15)
2006–2009 Cats / Lions 35 (10)
2009–2011 Saracens F.C. 25 (0)
2011 → Western Province 2 (0)
2011 → Stormers 2 (0)
2011–2013 Connacht 44 (15)
2013 Free State Cheetahs 4 (0)
2013–2014 Pau 9 (0)
Correct as of 8 April 2014

Career

Lions

He started his career playing for the Golden Lions and represented them at Under–19, Under–21 and 'A' team level. At the end of 2001, after his second year representing the Under–19 team, he was included in the pre-season training squad for the 2002 Vodacom Cup, following it up with appearances in the 2003 and 2004 seasons. He was also part of the Currie Cup training squad in 2004, playing all the warm-up games.

Griffons

In 2005, he joined Welkom-based side Griffons for one year, being involved in their Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup campaigns.

Return to Lions

He returned to the Golden Lions at the end of 2005. He was included in the Cats squad prior to the 2006 Super 14 season[2] before getting injured. He subsequently made three appearances in the 2006 Vodacom Cup side before breaking into Currie Cup side for the first time, making his Currie Cup debut for the Golden Lions in their match against Sharks.[3] and playing in all fourteen matches that season.

In 2007, he was also included in the Lions squad for the 2007 Super 14 season and made his Super Rugby debut in their second match of the season in an 11–6 victory over New Zealand team the Highlanders,[4] and remained a first team regular over the next two seasons. He was also included in a Springbok training squad in 2007.[5]

He wasn't included in the Lions squad for 2009 Super 14,[6] and captained the Vodacom Cup team in the 2009 Vodacom Cup season instead.

Saracens

In 2009, it was announced that he had joined English Premiership side Saracens,[7] where he played for two seasons.

Stormers

Shortly before his Saracens contract was due to end, he joined the Stormers on loan for part of the 2011 Super Rugby season as a replacement for injured Tiaan Liebenberg.[8] He made two substitute appearances for them, as well as two appearances for their Vodacom Cup side Western Province in the 2011 Vodacom Cup.

Connacht

He then joined Irish Pro12 side Connacht on a two-year deal for the 2011–12 season,[9] making 44 appearances in the Heineken Cup and Pro 12 competitions.

Free State Cheetahs

In July 2013, Free State Cheetahs head coach Naka Drotské confirmed that he had officially signed a contract to join the Free State Cheetahs for the 2013 Currie Cup Premier Division season,[10][11][12] making five appearances.

Pau

He returned to Europe a few months later, joining French Pro D2 side Pau as a medical joker during the 2013–14 Rugby Pro D2 season.[13]

Other

In addition, Reynecke also played for a World XV against an Asia-Pacific Barbarians side in the 2011 Chartis Cup in Hong Kong in aid of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami disaster. He also played for the South African Barbarians in 2013 against former side Saracens in 2013.[14]

After pro rugby, Reynecke turned his focus to MMA and trained at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, FL.[15]

In 2018 Reynecke suffered a series of near-death experiences, namely an ischemic stroke, leaving him with the permanent disability Aphasia. Fortunately, he recovered and in 2020 became the South Africa IMMAF light-heavyweight champion.[16]

Reynecke is now a stroke ambassador, raising awareness and supporting survivors.[17]

MMA record
5-0

References
  1. "SA Rugby Player Profile – Ethienne Reynecke". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  2. "Super 14 warm up Cats vs Vodacom Bulls". HSMImages. 14 January 2006. Archived from the original on 23 April 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  3. "SA Rugby Match Centre – The Sharks 33–22 Lions". South African Rugby Union. 23 June 2006. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  4. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Lions 11–6 Highlanders". South African Rugby Union. 10 February 2007. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  5. "Gallo Images – TL_669991.jpg". Gallo Images. 15 November 2007. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  6. "SA Rugby Squad – Auto & General Lions : 2009 Vodacom Super 14". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  7. "Ethienne Reynecke on his way to Saracens". SuperSport. 6 May 2009. Archived from the original on 21 July 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  8. "Saracens hooker at Stormers". Sport24. 27 March 2013. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  9. "Reynecke signs for Connacht". RTÉ. 31 March 2011. Retrieved 21 July 2013.
  10. "Reynecke word 'n Cheetah". SupaRugby (in Afrikaans). 20 June 2013. Retrieved 20 June 2013.
  11. "Willie bly 'n Cheetah". Beeld (in Afrikaans). 7 July 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  12. "Heyneke sal Lappies, Siya in Kaap dophou". Die Burger (in Afrikaans). 25 June 2013. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
  13. "Section Paloise : Reynecke en renfort" (in French). Sud Ouest. 11 October 2013. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  14. "Saracens v South African Barbarians". Saracens. 16 June 2013. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
  15. "Former rugby pro Ethienne Reynecke works out at WWE PC". WWE. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  16. "From 3 near-death experiences to South African MMA champion in 26 months: The fall and rise of Ethienne Reynecke". rugbypass.com. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
  17. "Why you NEED to teach your family about stroke symptoms". All4Women. 24 October 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
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