WP Nel

Willem Petrus Nel (born 30 April 1986) is a professional rugby union player who plays as a prop for United Rugby Championship club Edinburgh. Born in South Africa, he represents Scotland at international level after qualifying on residency grounds.

WP Nel
Nel representing Scotland during the Summer Internationals
Full nameWillem Petrus Nel
Date of birth (1986-04-30) 30 April 1986
Place of birthLoeriesfontein, South Africa
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight114 kg (251 lb; 17 st 13 lb)
SchoolDrostdy THS
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop
Current team Edinburgh
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2008 Western Province 4 (0)
2009 Boland 10 (5)
2009–2012 Free State Cheetahs 46 (60)
2009–2012 Cheetahs 47 (45)
2012– Edinburgh 188 (110)
Correct as of 26 April 2023
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2015– Scotland 61 (15)
Correct as of 10 October 2023

Professional career

Nel joined Scottish Pro 12 side Edinburgh in July 2012.[1]

After three years at Murrayfield Stadium, Nel became eligible to represent Scotland in June 2015, and claimed he would decline an invitation to represent his native Springboks in order to do so.[2] He made his international bow against Italy during the 2015 summer Tests, and was subsequently named in the final 31-man squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.[3][4]

He scored his first international try in the 39–16 World Cup match against the USA.

Nel played in all of Scotland's matches in the 2016 Six Nations but missed the 2016 Autumn Internationals and the entire 2017 Six Nations due to a neck injury. This injury probably cost him a place in the Lions touring squad to New Zealand in 2017.

In March 2017 it was announced that Nel had signed a three-year extension to his contract with Edinburgh.[5]

Nel played in four (starting three) of Scotland's group matches at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

In 2023 Nel was selected in the 33 player squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.[6]

References
  1. "Edinburgh secure Cheetahs prop WP Nel for next season". bbc.co.uk. 15 February 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  2. Lyall, Jamie Edinburgh's WP Nel nails colours to Scotland mast BBC Sport. September 6, 2015
  3. "The Scotland Squad - Scottish Rugby". Archived from the original on 1 October 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  4. Cotter Names 31-man Scotland Squad Scottish Rugby. September 6, 2015
  5. "WP Nel: Scotland prop signs new three-year deal at Edinburgh". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
  6. "Scotland squad named for Rugby World Cup 2023". Scottish Rugby Union.


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