AJ_Coertzen
AJ Coertzen
Rugby player
Adriaan Jacobus Van der Berg Coertzen (born 16 October 1990 in Bethlehem, South Africa) is a South African rugby union player for Aurillac in the Rugby Pro D2 in France.[1] His regular position is winger or fullback.
| Full name | Adriaan Jacobus Van der Berg Coertzen | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | (1990-10-16) 16 October 1990 (age 33) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Bethlehem, South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 85 kg (13 st 5 lb; 187 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Grey College, Bloemfontein | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | University of the Free State | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Youth rugby
Playing his high school rugby at Grey College in Bloemfontein, Coertzen was selected in the Free State squad that played at the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week tournament in 2006. In 2008, he was a member of the Free State's Under-18 Academy Week team. He progressed to the Free State U19 side that played in the 2009 Under-19 Provincial Championship and then played for the Free State U21 side in the 2011 Under-21 Provincial Championship.
Free State Cheetahs
Coertzen made his first class debut in the 2011 Vodacom Cup. He was an unused substitute in their match against the Pumas in Ermelo,[2] but made his debut the following week at home to the Leopards, coming on as a substitute during the second half of their 38–24 victory.[3] He made his starting debut in their next match against Namibian side the Welwitschias in Windhoek and took just two minutes to open the scoring to set the Cheetahs on their way to a 29–13 victory.[4] One more start followed in their next match against the Blue Bulls,[5] but that turned out to be his last involvement with the first team for 3 years, instead playing club and Varsity Cup rugby with the UFS Shimlas.
In August 2014, Coertzen was a surprise inclusion for the Free State Cheetahs in their opening match of the 2014 Currie Cup Premier Division season against newcomers the Pumas.[6]
Griquas
After spending the 2015 Currie Cup qualification series on loan at Kimberley-based side Griquas – making six appearances – he signed for them on a permanent basis for the 2016 season.[7]
Aurillac
Coertzen moved to French Pro D2 side Aurillac after the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division.[8]
- "SA Rugby Player Profile – AJ Coertzen". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
- "SA Rugby Match Centre – Ford Pumas 36–35 Toyota Free State Cheetahs". South African Rugby Union. 5 March 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
- "SA Rugby Match Centre – Toyota Free State Cheetahs 38–24 Leopards". South African Rugby Union. 12 March 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
- "SA Rugby Match Centre – Welwitschias 13–29 Toyota Free State Cheetahs". South African Rugby Union. 19 March 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
- "SA Rugby Match Centre – Toyota Free State Cheetahs 21–45 Vodacom Blue Bulls". South African Rugby Union. 25 March 2011. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
- "Cheetahs pick for Pumas clash". Sport24. 6 August 2014. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
- "VS o.21-losskakel beskikbaar vir Griekwas". Netwerk24 (in Afrikaans). 27 October 2015. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
- "2018-2019 : Les Recrues !" (Press release) (in French). Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne. 24 May 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2018.