Gerdus van der Walt

Gerdus van der Walt (born 20 April 1995) is a South African rugby union player for Kamaishi Seawaves in the Top League Cup in Japan.[1] His regular position is centre.

Gerdus van der Walt
Date of birth (1995-04-20) 20 April 1995
Place of birthPotchefstroom, South Africa
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight101 kg (15 st 13 lb; 223 lb)
SchoolHoërskool Monument, Krugersdorp
Notable relative(s)Jaco van der Walt (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
Current team Kamaishi Seawaves
Youth career
2013–2016 Golden Lions
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015 Golden Lions 1 (0)
2015–2017 Golden Lions XV 9 (10)
2018 Yamaha Júbilo 3 (10)
2020– Kamaishi Seawaves 8 (5)
Correct as of 22 February 2021

Career

In 2013, Van der Walt was selected to represent the Golden Lions at the Under-18 Craven Week competition held in Polokwane; he also scored a try for the Golden Lions in their match against SWD.[2] He was also selected to represent the Golden Lions U19s in the Under-19 Provincial Championship just a month later. He made seven appearances in the competition – all of those as a replacement – as the Golden Lions finished second on the log and reached the final of the competition, where they lost to the Blue Bulls U19s.[3]

Van der Walt again appeared for their Under-19s in the 2014 Under-19 Provincial Championship, having firmly established himself as their first-choice inside centre, starting all twelve of their matches in that position. He scored tries in their matches against the Blue Bulls U19s[4] and the Leopards U19s,[5] but could not help the team qualify for the semi-finals as they ended the season in fifth position.

Van der Walt made his first class debut during Round Two of the 2015 Vodacom Cup competition, coming on as a replacement in the second half of their 31–21 victory over Limpopo Blue Bulls in Polokwane.[6] His next appearance saw him elevated to the starting line-up in their final match in the competition, a 36–20 victory over the Griffons as the Golden Lions completed the regular season with sevens wins in seven matches.[7] He also appeared off the bench in their semi-final match against the Pumas, but it ended in disappointment as the team from Nelspruit ran out 43–20 winners.[8] He made eleven starts for the Golden Lions U21s in the 2015 Under-21 Provincial Championship Group A, scoring tries in five of those matches to help them finish fourth on the log.

Van der Walt was included in the Golden Lions' Currie Cup starting line-up for the final match of the 2015 Currie Cup Premier Division regular season. He helped them to a 29–19 victory over Griquas to finish the regular season unbeaten, winning all ten matches.[9]

Personal life

Van der Walt is the younger brother of fly-half Jaco van der Walt. Both brothers came through the ranks at the Golden Lions and they played together on occasion; on 8 May 2015, both were selected in the starting line-up for the Golden Lions' match against the Griffons in Welkom,[7] while they also played next to each other in the final match of the 2015 Currie Cup Premier Division regular season, in a match that saw Gerdus make his debut in the competition.[9]

References
  1. "SA Rugby Player Profile – Gerdus van der Walt". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  2. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Golden Lions 34–27 SWD". South African Rugby Union. 9 July 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  3. "SA Rugby Match Centre – MTN Golden Lions 23–35 Vodacom Blue Bulls". South African Rugby Union. 26 October 2013. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  4. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Golden Lions U19 11–36 Blue Bulls U19". South African Rugby Union. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  5. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Leopards U19 29–26 Golden Lions U19". South African Rugby Union. 3 October 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  6. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Assupol Limpopo Blue Bulls 21–31 Xerox Golden Lions". South African Rugby Union. 13 March 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  7. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Down Touch Griffons 20–36 Xerox Golden Lions". South African Rugby Union. 8 May 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  8. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Xerox Golden Lions 20–43 Steval Pumas". South African Rugby Union. 22 May 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  9. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Xerox Golden Lions 29–19 ORC Griquas". South African Rugby Union. 10 October 2015. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
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