Ruan Nortjé

Ruan Nortjé (born 25 July 1998) is a South African rugby union player for the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship, Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup and the Blue Bulls XV in the Rugby Challenge.[1] His regular position is lock.

Ruan Nortjé
Date of birth (1998-07-25) 25 July 1998
Place of birthPretoria, South Africa
Height2.00 m (6 ft 6+1⁄2 in)
Weight113 kg (249 lb; 17 st 11 lb)
SchoolHoërskool Wonderboom
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock
Current team Bulls / Blue Bulls
Youth career
2016–2019 Blue Bulls
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2018–2019 Blue Bulls XV 8 (0)
2018– Bulls 40 (20)
2018–present Blue Bulls 30 (5)
Correct as of 23 July 2022
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2018 South Africa Under-20 5 (10)
2022– South Africa 1 (0)
Correct as of 23 July 2022

Rugby career

Nortjé grew up in Pretoria and represented his local Blue Bulls at the Under-18 Academy Week in 2016. He joined the Blue Bulls academy after school, and played for their Under-19 team in 2017.[2]

In 2018, Nortjé was included in the South Africa Under-20 squad for the 2018 World Rugby Under 20 Championship.[3] He played in all three of their matches during the pool stage – a 33–27 victory over Georgia,[4] a 30–17 win over Ireland[5] and a 29–46 defeat to France.[6] South Africa qualified for the semi-finals as the runner-up with the best record, but fell short in the semifinal against England, losing 31–32, with Nortjé scoring one of South Africa's tries.[7] He scored another try in their third-place play-off against New Zealand, helping his side to a 40–30 win.[8]

Upon his return to South Africa, he was included in the Bulls squad for their final match of the 2018 Super Rugby season against trans-Jukskei rivals the Lions,[9] and he made his Super Rugby debut by coming on as a second half replacement.[10]

Honours
  • Super Rugby Unlocked winner 2020
  • Currie Cup winner 2020–21, 2021
  • Pro14 Rainbow Cup runner-up 2021
  • United Rugby Championship runner-up 2021–22
  • United Rugby Championship Ironman award for 2021–22 season
  • Selected in the United Rugby Championship "Dream Team" for the 2021–22 season.
  • Bulls URC Player of the Year 2022

References
  1. "SA Rugby Player Profile – Ruan Nortjé". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  2. "Vodacom Blue Bulls U19 2017 season review" (Press release). Bulls. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  3. "Moerat to lead Junior Boks to U20 World Champs" (Press release). South African Rugby Union. 30 April 2018. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  4. "U20 World Rugby Championship – Match 1, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 30 May 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  5. "U20 World Rugby Championship – Match 10, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 3 June 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  6. "U20 World Rugby Championship – Match 17, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 7 June 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  7. "U20 World Rugby Championship – Match 23, Semi Final". South African Rugby Union. 12 June 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  8. "U20 World Rugby Championship – Match 29, 3rd Place Play-off". South African Rugby Union. 17 June 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  9. "New halfbacks and captain as Vodacom Bulls close out season against Emirates Lions" (Press release). Bulls. 12 July 2018. Archived from the original on 15 July 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  10. "Lions 38-12 Bulls". SANZAAR. 14 July 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
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