Paschal Ekeji

Paschal Ekeji

Date of birth	(2002-03-19) 19 March 2002 (age 23) [1]
Place of birth	Lesotho [2]
Height	1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) [3]
Weight	94 kg (207 lb)
School	Grey College
University	Stellenbosch University
Rugby union career
Position(s) Winger Current team Sharks XV Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2020–2023 Western Province 2 () 2025– Sharks XV ()

Paschal Hans Uzoma Ekeji is a Lesotho born rugby union footballer of Nigerian descent, who plays as a winger for Sharks XV in South Africa. Formerly part of the NFL's International Player Pathway scheme.

Early life

He is originally from Nigeria but grew up in Bloemfontein and played for Grey College and played rugby union for Free State in the Craven Week. He then attended Stellenbosch University. ^{[4] [5]}

Career

Rugby Union

He was recruited by Western Province in 2020. ^[6] He played for Western Province U20 in the U20 Cup in the 2021-22 season. ^[7] That season, he also featured the senior Western Province side in the Toyota Challenge. ^[8] He went on to make his senior debut in the 2022 Currie Cup Premier Division for Western Province, making his debut against Lions in January 2022. ^{[4] [9]} However, his progress was halted by a knee ligament injury which ruled him out of action for a year. ^[10]

NFL

In June 2022, he attended the first NFL Africa Camp in Accra, Ghana. He was described as a "6-foot-4, 210 pounds" and a potential wide receiver who "looked the part in every way…the size, [he] was smooth in and out of his breaks and…very coachable". ^[11] In December 2024, he was announced as joining the NFL's International Player Pathway scheme. ^{[12] [13] [14]}

Return to Rugby

Having failed to secure an NFL contract, Ekeji returned to rugby, signing with the Sharks ahead of the 2025 Currie Cup Premier Division. ^[15] Ekeji made his debut for the Sharks in the fourth round, against Griquas. ^[16]

Personal life

His younger brother Pretorius Ekeji is also a rugby union player. ^[4]

References

1. "Paschal Ekeji". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
2. "Inside triple-nationality rugby star Paschal Ekeji Jr.'s 'far-fetched' path to the NFL". ESPN. Retrieved 23 July 2025.
3. "Paschal Ekeji". Rugby Pass. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
4. "Ekeji back in action after injury". Varsitycup.co.za. 28 March 2024.
5. "It's very much a full circle moment for me - Ekeji". ofm.co.za. 12 November 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
6. Pieke, Morgan (September 3, 2020). "White recruits well in Bloem". Bloemfonteincourant. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
7. "U20 Cup wrap: Mngomezulu wins it for WP". sarugbymag.co.za. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
8. "Western Province's next generation on show vs Cheetahs". Sarugbymag. 11 November 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
9. "Loose forward shake-up for Province". Rugby 365. 18 January 2022. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
10. "Paschal Ekeji back in action after injury lay-off". sport.sun.ac.za. 28 March 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
11. Jones-Drew, Maurice (Jun 24, 2022). "First NFL Africa Camp gives young athletes chance to show off football skills". NFL.com. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
12. "Petaia, Stona & Sexton named in NFL's 2025 IPP class". BBC Sport. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 9 December 2024.
13. "NFL announces International Player Pathway program Class of 2025". NFL. 9 December 2024. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
14. Cronjé, Hendrik (8 Dec 2024). "Matie winger gets NFL chance". Netwerk24.com. Retrieved 10 December 2024.
15. "Sharks snap up WP wing, via NFL". SA Rugby magazine. 2025-06-29. Retrieved 2025-07-02.
16. Westhuyzen, Jacques van der (2025-08-13). "Former Grey boy and NFL hopeful Paschal Ekeji to make Sharks debut". The Citizen. Retrieved 2025-08-23.