Willie Odendaal

Willem Adriaan Odendaal (born 11 July 1990 in Pretoria, South Africa) is a South African rugby union player, who most recently played with the Falcons.[1] He can play as a scrum-half, centre or winger.

Not to be confused with South African politician Willem Odendaal.

Willie Odendaal
Full nameWillem Adriaan Odendaal
Date of birth (1990-07-11) 11 July 1990
Place of birthPretoria, South Africa
Height1.82 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in)
Weight95 kg (14 st 13 lb; 209 lb)
SchoolHoërskool Eldoraigne, Pretoria
UniversityUniversity of South Africa
Rugby union career
Position(s) Scrum-half / Centre / Winger
Current team QBR
Youth career
2008 Blue Bulls
2008–2009 Pumas
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2010–2015 Falcons 91 (80)
Correct as of 4 October 2015

Career

Youth

Odendaal played school rugby for Hoërskool Eldoraigne and earned a selection to the Blue Bulls squad for the Under-18 Craven Week in 2008. Shortly afterwards, he joined Witbank-based side the Pumas. He played for the Pumas U19 team in the 2008 and 2009 Under-19 Provincial Championships.

Falcons

2010 saw Odendaal move to the East Rand to join the Falcons. After playing in a compulsory friendly match for them against the Sharks in Nigel prior to the 2010 Currie Cup First Division season,[2] he made his debut in the competition proper by starting their first match of the season against the Griffons in Welkom.[3] He made eight appearances in the competition and playing mainly as a scrum-half. Eight appearances followed in the 2011 Vodacom Cup, which saw him score his first senior try against the Border Bulldogs[4] and another against Argentineaninvitational side Pampas XV.[5] Six starts and two appearances off the bench followed in his second Currie Cup campaign in 2011, contributing one try.

From 2012, Odendaal played mainly as a centre. After scoring two tries in six appearances during the 2012 Vodacom Cup competition, he firmly established himself as a first choice for the Falcons, starting in thirteen of their matches during the 2012 Currie Cup First Division season. He scored three tries, but could not help the Falcons finish higher than second-last in the competition. After a further seven appearances in the 2013 Vodacom Cup, he had his most prolific Currie Cup season for the Falcons, scoring seven tries in eleven appearances. He topped the try-scoring charts for the Falcons and finished ninth overall.[6] His try-scoring form included scoring a first half hat-trick against the SWD Eagles in Kempton Park, but could not prevent the Falcons losing the match as the visitors rallied back to win the match 38–37.[7]

References
  1. "SA Rugby Player Profile – Willie Odendaal". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  2. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Valke 3–80 Sharks Invitational XV". South African Rugby Union. 25 June 2010. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  3. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Griffons 43–8 Valke". South African Rugby Union. 17 July 2010. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  4. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Border 15–43 Valke". South African Rugby Union. 25 March 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  5. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Pampas XV 57–15 Valke". South African Rugby Union. 9 April 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  6. "SA Rugby Try Scorers – 2013 Absa Currie Cup First Division". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 5 May 2016.
  7. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Valke 37–38 SWD Eagles". South African Rugby Union. 12 July 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
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