Dane van der Westhuyzen

Dane Robert van der Westhuyzen (born 16 August 1992) is a South African professional rugby union player who last played for the Leopards.[2] His regular position is hooker.

Dane van der Westhuyzen
Full nameDane Robert van der Westhuyzen
Date of birth (1992-08-16) 16 August 1992
Place of birthQueenstown, South Africa
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight105 kg (231 lb; 16 st 7 lb)
SchoolSt Andrew's College[1]
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker
Youth career
2005 Border Bulldogs
2010 Eastern Province Country Districts
2012–2013 Eastern Province Kings
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015 NMMU Madibaz 7 (0)
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2013–2014 Eastern Province Kings 14 (0)
2015 Leopards XV 5 (5)
2015–2018 Leopards 49 (35)
Correct as of 18 June 2018

Career

Youth

Van der Westhuyzen played for Border Bulldogs at the Under-13 Craven Week in 2005 and for Eastern Province Country Districts at the Under-18 Academy Week in 2010.

He then joined the EPRU Academy and played for the Eastern Province U21 side in the 2012 Under-21 Provincial Championship, starting all eight of his side's matches as they made it to the final of the competition, scoring one try against Griquas U21 en route.[3] Van der Westhuyzen started the final, helping them to beat SWD U21 24–10.[4]

He was equally as involved for the U21s in the 2013 Under-21 Provincial Championship – this time round also captaining the side – making eight appearances as the team progressed all the way to the final. He scored a try in the final against Boland U21 in a 59–19 victory[5] to help them win their second consecutive title, although they once again fell short in the promotion play-off, losing 23–21 to Border U21.[6]

Eastern Province Kings

Van der Westhuyzen was included in the senior squad for the 2013 Vodacom Cup and was also included in the Southern Kings squad for a match against the Lions as they warmed up for the 2013 Super Rugby season.[7] He made his first class debut in the Vodacom Cup in their match against Argentine invitational side, Pampas XV,[8] and made a total of six appearances in the competition, all from the bench.

He made his first appearance in the Currie Cup competition in the opening fixture of the 2013 Currie Cup First Division season, when he appeared as a substitute in the match against the Pumas.[9] He made two starts in their matches against the Griffons[10] and the Leopards[11] and a further appearance off the bench against the Falcons.[12]

Despite initially being released at the end of the 2013 season, he was later offered a one-year contract extension for 2014.[13] He made four appearances in the 2014 Vodacom Cup competition and was included in their squad for the 2014 Currie Cup Premier Division, but failed to make any appearances for the side and was again released at the end of the season.[14]

Leopards

Van der Westhuyzen then joined Port Elizabeth-based university side NMMU Madibaz for the 2015 Varsity Cup competition, making 7 appearances as his side finished second-bottom on the log, before making the move to Potchefstroom to join the Leopards.

He was a member of the Leopards team that won the 2015 Currie Cup First Division.[15] He featured in a total of eleven matches during the 2015 Currie Cup qualification rounds and First Division proper and scored two tries for the side. He also started the final, where he helped the Leopards to a 44–20 victory over the SWD Eagles to win the competition for the first time in their history.

References
  1. Tshwaku, Khanyiso (17 August 2010). "Saints whip Kingswood on K-day". Grocott's Mail. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  2. "SA Rugby Player Profile – Dane van der Westhuyzen". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 30 May 2016.
  3. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Eastern Province KIngs 67–5 GWK Griquas". South African Rugby Union. 5 October 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  4. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Eastern Province KIngs 24–10 SWD Eagles". South African Rugby Union. 13 October 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  5. "SA Rugby Match Centre – EP Kings 59–19 Boland". South African Rugby Union. 11 October 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  6. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Border 23–21 EP Kings". South African Rugby Union. 19 October 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  7. "Wounded Kings' test of depth". Rugby365.com. Rugby365.com. 7 February 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2013.
  8. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Eastern Province Kings 20–20 ICBC Pampas XV". South African Rugby Union. 9 March 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  9. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Eastern Province Kings 13–29 Steval Pumas". South African Rugby Union. 28 June 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  10. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Down Touch Griffons 21–37 Eastern Province Kings". South African Rugby Union. 6 July 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  11. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Eastern Province Kings 18–22 Leopards". South African Rugby Union. 12 July 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  12. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Valke 18–44 Eastern Province Kings". South African Rugby Union. 2 August 2013. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  13. "Welkom in groot rugby, Dane". Media24 (in Afrikaans). Beeld. 29 January 2014. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  14. "Dane se kontrakpyn" (in Afrikaans). Die Burger. 28 October 2014. Archived from the original on 29 October 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2014.
  15. "Leopards clinch Absa Currie Cup First Division title in style". South African Rugby Union. 8 October 2015. Archived from the original on 9 October 2015. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
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