Seattle Seawolves – Riekert Hattingh

The Seattle Seawolves have signed Riekert Hattingh to play eight-man for the inaugural Major League Rugby season which begins April 2018. At 23, Riekert is a lineout force standing 6’5″ and weighs 235 pounds.

Rierkert grew up in Pretoria, South Africa and attended Pretoria North High School where he graduated in 2012. While in high school he played for the Blue Bulls under 16 and under 18 sides.

In 2013, he continued to progress and became a contracted player with the Blue Bulls, playing for the under 19s. In 2014 he was part of the Golden Lions Vodacom Cup squad, which is from Johannesburg.

In 2015 Riekert came to the United States and played with the Austin Blacks. He returned to South Africa to play with the Blue Bulls 2016 Super Rugby squad and also played for the Blue Bulls in the Currie Cup.

In 2016 he was part of the first professional league in the United States where he played for the Ohio Aviators. He also played for Scioto Valley/Columbus Rugby in 2016-17 and has been a Tiger Rugby Academy Coach in 2016-17.

Riekert had family rugby role models to follow. Professional rugby runs in the family as his dad, Drikus Hattingh, and his uncle, Ruben Kruger were both Springboks. Riekert indicated that “rugby always been part of my life and dream since I could remember like most boys in South Africa. I do what I love everyday and I’m exited to play some good rugby again and be part of the inaugural season of the Major League Rugby and join a great team like the Seattle Seawolves. The only challenges that there is in playing professional rugby, especially overseas, is being away from the family and not seeing them a lot.”

Seattle Seawolves Rugby Release: Seattle, Nov. 14, 2017

“The Seawolves and Head Coach Tony Healy are proud to announce the signing of former Bulls Rugby player Riekert Hattingh. Hattingh will play the 8-man position with the Seawolves. “I look forward to playing my rugby in Seattle and joining the Seawolves for the inaugural season of the MLR,” said Hattingh. “I’ve only heard good stuff about Seattle and the rugby community.”

Standing at 6-feet 5-inches and 235 lbs, the 23-year old has the potential to develop into one of the most dominant players on the pitch. “Riekert is a welcome addition to our Seawolves team. He possesses a strong all-around game. While he is extremely skillful in the lineout and in open play, Riekert has the power to be capable of producing the hard yards when necessary and allowing his teammates to play off of him,” said Healy.

Hattingh worked his way up through the ranks with Blue Bulls Rugby, located in Pretoria, South Africa. His career with the Blue Bulls began at the developmental U16 level, followed by participation on the U19 and U21 teams. His playing experience with the Blue Bulls culminated with participation in the 2016 Currie Cup on the Blue Bulls team.

We are proud to welcome Riekert Hattingh to the Seawolves family.”