Ruan Nortjé

Last updated

Ruan Nortjé
Ruan Nortje 2023.jpg
Date of birth (1998-07-25) 25 July 1998 (age 27)
Place of birth Pretoria, South Africa
Height2.00 m (6 ft 6+12 in)
Weight113 kg (249 lb; 17 st 11 lb)
School Die Hoërskool Wonderboom
University University of Pretoria
Notable relative(s)Linda Nortje (spouse)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock flanker
Current team Bulls / Blue Bulls
Youth career
2016–2019 Blue Bulls
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2018–2019 Blue Bulls XV 8 (0)
2018– Bulls 85 (55)
2018–present Blue Bulls 30 (5)
Correct as of 31 August 2024
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2018 South Africa Under-20 5 (10)
2022– South Africa 7 (0)
Correct as of 31 August 2024

Ruan Nortjé (born 25 July 1998) is a South African professional rugby union who as of 2025 plays for the Bulls in the United Rugby Championship and the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup. [1] His regular position is lock.

Contents

Rugby career

Nortjé grew up in Pretoria and represented his local Blue Bulls at the Under-18 Academy Week in 2016. He joined the Blue Bulls academy after school, and played for their Under-19 team in 2017. [2]

In 2018, Nortjé was included in the South Africa Under-20 squad for the 2018 World Rugby Under 20 Championship. [3] He played in all three of their matches during the pool stage – a 33–27 victory over Georgia, [4] a 30–17 win over Ireland [5] and a 29–46 defeat to France. [6] South Africa qualified for the semi-finals as the runner-up with the best record, but fell short in the semifinal against England, losing 31–32, with Nortjé scoring one of South Africa's tries. [7] He scored another try in their third-place play-off against New Zealand, helping his side to a 40–30 win. [8]

Upon his return to South Africa, he was included in the Bulls squad for their final match of the 2018 Super Rugby season against trans-Jukskei rivals the Lions, [9] and he made his Super Rugby debut by coming on as a second half replacement. [10]

Honours

Statistics

Test match record

As of 23 August 2025
OpponentPWDLTryPts%Won
Flag of Argentina.svg  Argentina 21010050
Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 220000100
Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 110000100
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy 110000100
Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 220000100
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales 1001000
Total97020077.78

References

  1. "SA Rugby Player Profile – Ruan Nortjé". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  2. "Vodacom Blue Bulls U19 2017 season review" (Press release). Bulls. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  3. "Moerat to lead Junior Boks to U20 World Champs" (Press release). South African Rugby Union. 30 April 2018. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  4. "U20 World Rugby Championship – Match 1, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 30 May 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  5. "U20 World Rugby Championship – Match 10, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 3 June 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  6. "U20 World Rugby Championship – Match 17, Pool Stage". South African Rugby Union. 7 June 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  7. "U20 World Rugby Championship – Match 23, Semi Final". South African Rugby Union. 12 June 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  8. "U20 World Rugby Championship – Match 29, 3rd Place Play-off". South African Rugby Union. 17 June 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  9. "New halfbacks and captain as Vodacom Bulls close out season against Emirates Lions" (Press release). Bulls. 12 July 2018. Archived from the original on 15 July 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  10. "Lions 38-12 Bulls". SANZAAR. 14 July 2018. Retrieved 15 July 2018.