Erich_de_Jager
Erich de Jager
South African rugby union player
Erich Estiaan de Jager (born (1996-02-29)29 February 1996) is a South African professional rugby union player for the New England Free Jacks of Major League Rugby (MLR).[1] His regular position is prop. His nickname is "Tarzan" started by his teammates.
| Full name | Erich Estiaan de Jager | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | (1996-02-29) 29 February 1996 (age 28) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Port Elizabeth, South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 119 kg (262 lb; 18 st 10 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Hoërskool Brandwag | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | University of the Free State | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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He previously played for the Griffons in the Currie Cup.[2]
Youth rugby
De Jager was born in Port Elizabeth and represented the local Eastern Province Kings at various youth levels during his school career, playing at the Under-18 Craven Week tournaments on two occasions – at the 2013 tournament held in Polokwane and the 2014 event held in Middelburg.
After school, De Jager moved to Bloemfontein, where he joined the Free State Cheetahs academy, playing for them at Under-19 level in 2015,[3] and at Under-21 level in 2016[4] and 2017. He also made a few appearances for the Griffons U20 team in 2016.[5]
First class rugby
In 2016, he was included in the Free State XV squad for the 2016 Currie Cup qualification series,[6] and he made his first class debut by coming on as a replacement in their match against the Falcons in their Round Thirteen clash[7] and making a total of four appearances for the team.
After playing a further eight matches for the Free State XV in the 2017 Rugby Challenge, De Jager was included in their squad for the 2017 Currie Cup Premier Division, and made his Currie Cup debut in their 45–34 victory over the Pumas in their Round Three match,[8] one of four appearances in the competition.
He was included in the Cheetahs squad for the 2017–18 Pro14 and – after being an unused replacement in their match against Welsh side the Ospreys[9] – made his Pro14 debut in their match against fellow Welsh side the Dragons in Newport,[10] and his home debut in their next match against the Cardiff Blues.Report[11]
He scored his first try in first class rugby in the 2018 Rugby Challenge, in a 33–19 victory for the Free State XV over their neighbours the Griffons.[12]
In 2020, de Jager signed with the New England Free Jacks of Major League Rugby through to the 2022 season.[13]
- "Free Jacks sign Cheetahs prop Erich de Jager". Americas Rugby News. 25 August 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2021.
- "SA Rugby Player Profile – Erich de Jager". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
- "SA Rugby Squad – Free State U19 : 2015 Absa Under 19 Competition". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
- "SA Rugby Squad – Free State U21 : 2016 Currie Cup Under 21 Competition". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 July 2016.
- "SA Rugby Squad – Griffons U/20 : 2016 Currie Cup Under 20 Competition". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 23 June 2016.
- "SA Rugby Squad – Toyota Free State XV : 2016 Currie Cup Qualifying". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
- "SA Rugby Match Centre – Toyota Free State XV 33–27 Hino Valke". South African Rugby Union. 2 July 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- "Currie Cup Premier Division - Match 11, Log". South African Rugby Union. 9 August 2017. Retrieved 28 July 2018.
- "Ospreys leave it late to topple Toyota Cheetahs". Guinness Pro14. 24 February 2018. Archived from the original on 22 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- "Maxwane inspires Cheetahs' second-half comeback at Dragons". Guinness Pro14. 23 March 2018. Archived from the original on 22 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- "Toyota Cheetahs late show edges thriller against Blues". Guinness Pro14. 7 April 2018. Archived from the original on 22 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018.
- "SuperSport Rugby Challenge - Match 32, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 25 May 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2018.
- "New England Free Jacks Signs Erich De Jager". djcoilrugby. 25 August 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2021.