Japie Nel

Japie Nel (born 20 November 1982 in Welkom, South Africa) is a South African rugby union player who last played for the Griffons in the Currie Cup.[1] His regular position is centre.

Japie Nel
Date of birth (1982-11-20) 20 November 1982
Place of birthWelkom, South Africa
Height1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight117 kg (18 st 6 lb; 258 lb)
SchoolGoudveld High School, Welkom
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2004–2007 Welkom Rovers ()
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2005–2007 Griffons 35 (45)
2008–2010 Leopards 35 (20)
2011–2016 Griffons 91 (190)
2018 Griffons 3 (15)
Correct as of 27 October 2018

Nel made in excess of one hundred career appearances. The majority of those appearances came for his hometown side, the Griffons.

Career

Griffons

Nel played club rugby for Welkom Rovers in 2004 and 2005. In 2005, he was one of a number of club players included in a Griffons side that played against the Sharks in a pre-season match.[2] This led to his inclusion in their squad for the 2005 Currie Cup competition and he made his first class debut for them in a qualifying round match against Griquas.[3] He scored seven tries in the 2007 Currie Cup First Division season,[4] including a hat-trick in their match against the Mighty Elephants,[5] with Griffons coach, Harry Pienaar, calling Nel "devastating".[6] He was also named the Griffons Back of the Year for 2007.[7]

Leopards

He joined Potchefstroom-based side the Leopards for three seasons between 2008 and 2010.[8] Nel played in all the Leopards matches during the 2008 Currie Cup First Division season, but missed the final, which the Leopards lost to his former side the Griffons.[9] However the Leopards bounced back to win the two-legged promotion/relegation matches, with Nel playing in one of the matches against the Falcons[10] to earn the Leopards a spot in the Premier Division for 2009. Nel only made four appearances during that competition, but remained a regular in their Vodacom Cup side.

Return to Griffons

He returned to Welkom in 2011 to rejoin the Griffons,[11] resuming where he left off by performing to such an extent that he was once again named the Griffons Back of the Year after the 2011 Currie Cup First Division season.[12]

In total, Nel played in excess of fifty matches for them during his second spell, averaging about one try every two matches.

He was also a key member of their 2014 Currie Cup First Division-winning side. He played in the final and helped the Griffons win the match 23–21[13] to win their first trophy for six years.[14]

References
  1. "SA Rugby Player Profile – Japie Nel". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  2. "Dié Griffons kry dalk nog plek in CB-groep" (in Afrikaans). Volksblad. 8 June 2005. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  3. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Wildeklawer Griquas 54–12 Griffons". South African Rugby Union. 24 June 2005. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  4. "SA Rugby Try Scorers – 2007 ABSA Currie Cup First Div". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  5. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Griffons 50–29 BA Mighty Elephants". South African Rugby Union. 30 June 2007. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  6. "Afrigter besing senter se kragspel" (in Afrikaans). Volksblad. 2 July 2007. Archived from the original on 13 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  7. "Griffons vereer jaar se topspelers" (in Afrikaans). Volksblad. 7 November 2007. Archived from the original on 13 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  8. "Twee Griffons gaan vir Luiperds speel" (in Afrikaans). Volksblad. 6 November 2007. Archived from the original on 13 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  9. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Profert Platinum Leopards 26–31 Griffons". South African Rugby Union. 10 October 2008. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  10. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Valke 24–29 Platinum Leopards". South African Rugby Union. 17 October 2008. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  11. "Span spog met talent" (in Afrikaans). Volksblad. 27 January 2011. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  12. "Britz as Griffons se beste speler aangewys" (in Afrikaans). Volksblad. 29 November 2011. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 12 May 2014.
  13. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Down Touch Griffons 23–21 Valke". South African Rugby Union. 17 October 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  14. "Currie Cup Griffons win First Division title". Sport24. 17 October 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
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