Rugby ATL signs Rowan Gouws

Rugby ATL signed South African Rowan Gouws through the 2022 Major League Rugby season. The 25-year-old scrumhalf is 5’10” and 180 lbs.

Rowan was born in Richards Bay, South Africa, and grew up in Mpumalanga where he attended Hoër Tegniese Skool Middelburg and later the University of Kwa Zula-Natal.

Rowan played youth rugby for the Pumas from 2008-2013, playing with the U13s in Craven Week in 2008, the U18s in Grant Khomo Week in 2011 and 2013. He moved to Durban and played with the Sharks Academy from 2014-2016, playing for the U19s in the 2014 Provincial Championship, and the U21s in the 2015and 2016 Provincial Championships. In 2015 he also played with University Kwa Zula-Natal in the Varsity Shield competition.

In 2016 he played with the Sharks XV in the Currie Cup Qualifiers, and in 2017 in the Rugby Challenge. He played in 2017 one match with the Eastern Province Kings in the Currie Cup before playing with the Southern Kings 11 times in the team’s inaugural PRO 14 season. In 2018 he returned to a renamed Eastern Province Elephants in the Rugby Challenge.

In 2019 he played for the Asia Pacific Dragons, who were part of Global Rapid Rugby, as well as for Otago in New Zealand in the Mitre 10 Cup. He is currently in Bermuda playing in the World Tens Series with the Asia Pacific Dragons 10s team.

In 2021, Rugby ATL will have an increased South African presence with the addition of Rowan Gouws.

Rugby ATL Comments

“Rowan’s a proven professional 9 with the speed and width of pass that we’ll bring into our attack in the 2021 season. In all of our interactions to date Rowan has personified PACE which makes it an easy choice for Rowan to join us this season,” said General Manager Scott Lawrence.

The 25-year-old Gouws will bring 4 years of pro-experience to a backline primed for a fast #PACEd attack. He will also rejoin fellow South African countrymen and former teammates Ryan Nell, Kurt Coleman & Marno Redelinghuys for the return of Major League Rugby in the 2021 season.