The Seattle Seawolves have re-signed Juan-Philip Smith for the 2020 Major League Rugby season. The 25-year-old scrumhalf turns 26 in March. He is 6’2″ and 205lbs.
During the 2019 MLR season, Smith played in all 18 matches for 954 minutes. He scored 6 tries, had 51 ball carries for 352 meters, 4 line breaks, 5 tackle breaks, and 124 tackles. He also had 88 kicks for 2,819 meters.
Smith was born in Bloemhof, South Africa and attended Queen’s College in Queenstown before attending the University of Pretoria.
He played youth rugby with the Border Bulldogs from 2010-2011. He represented them on the Under-16s during Grant Khomo Week and for the Under-18s during Craven Week.
He then played with the Blue Bulls from 2013-2015 being selected for the 2014 Vodacom Cup but being unable to play due to his selection for the South Africa Under-20s. In 2014 he played for the Under-19s and in 2015 for the Under-21 in the Provincial Championship, as well as in the 2015 Vodacom Cup.
In 2015 he played amateur rugby with the UP Tuks and then made 4 appearances with the Senior side Bull Bulls. In the 2016-2017 season, it was on to the Free State XV where he made 20 appearances and scored 8 points. In 2017 he also played with the Free State Cheetahs 6 times.
In 2018 he played with the PRO 14 Rugby Southern Kings twice and then moved to the Eastern Province Elephants in 8 matches.
Smith now joins the Seattle Seawolves and his kicking and leadership in the existing strong backline will be a welcome addition.
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