Dallas Jackals Adds Robbie Petzer

The Dallas Jackals signed South African Robbie Petzer for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. The 24-year-old flyhalf/center (25 in February) who is from Vredefort, South Africa, is 6’1″ and 210 lbs.

Robbie played in all five matches for the Colorado Raptors during the 2020 season, starting four times at the inside center.

During the 2019 season, Robbie played 804 minutes in 14 matches, starting 11 times, scoring 5 tries, carrying 71 times for 718 meters, and making 82 tackles. He had 10 linebreaks, 10 tackle breaks, and 6 offloads.

Robbie attended Die Afrikaanse Hoërskool Kroonstad, Hoërskool Parys, Hoërskool Noord Kaap and after high school, at Kovsies (University of the Free State).

The rugby resume of Robbie Jacobus Petzer is an extensive one for a young player. He played for the Under-16s Griffons in the 2012 Grant Khomo Week and the Under-18s Griquas in the 2014 Craven Week.

After high school, he played with the Western Province Academy in 2015 before re-joining the Griffons in 2016. During the Under-20s Provincial Championship, he scored 111 points, the third-most in the competition.

The following year he made the jump to Senior rugby first playing for the Griffons in the 2017 Rugby Challenge. During the second half of the year, he made his Currie Cup debut for the Free State Cheetahs against the Golden Lions, then his PRO14 debut against Munster, before finishing the season with three more Currie Cup appearances.

In 2018 he moved to St George and played with the SWD Eagles, making 8 appearances and will join the Glendale Raptors for the 2019 Major League Rugby season. In 2019, he also returned to represent the Griffons who were Currie Cup runner-ups.

Dallas Jackals Comments

Robbie was born and raised in Vredefort, South Africa, which is in the centrally located province of Free State. He says he has played rugby for as long as he can remember. “My father gave me a rugby ball when I was born and ever since then I couldn’t put it down,” Robbie says.

Robbie returned to the Colorado Raptors for the 2020 season. Robbie says, “Rugby has always been in my blood and a big passion of mine. I am blessed beyond measure to be able to do what I love and dreamed of doing my whole life. Since my first professional contract in 2017, I have never looked back.”

Robbie is excited to be a Jackal, “It doesn’t happen often to be a part of a team being established new and fresh in a league.” He continued that he is honored to join the Jackals family and be a part of the legacy.

Robbie believes the team the coaching staff has assembled will be highly competitive and he is excited to play alongside new and old teammates. “I want us to get out there and build our brand of rugby and playing style.” He continued, “plus, I still hold the MLR’s record for the most individual points in a game so I look forward to getting the chance to defend that.”

Coming from a small town, Robbie is excited to see what Dallas has in store for him and looks forward to meeting fans. “From my understanding, Dallas has some crazy and proud sports fans and I hope to get them all behind us,” he said. Welcome to the pack Robbie!