Rugby ATL re-signed Zander Van Schalkwyk for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. The 26-year-old utility back (27 in March) is 6’2″, 185 lbs. and can play flyhalf, center, or fullback.
During the COVID-19 shortened MLR season, he started three matches, playing 240 minutes, and scoring 2 tries. During the Fall, he played for Life Men’s Club Team. Zander played outside center in the second half of the team’s 2021 preseason match against the Utah Warriors.
Zander is from Pretoria, South Africa and moved with his family to Charlotte, North Carolina in 2005. He attended Providence High School and played rugby with the Charlotte Tigers, helping them to back-to-back North Carolina State Championships in 2011 & 2012.
Zander was then recruited by Dan Payne, current Director of World Rugby Americas, to attend Life University as an undergraduate. He helped Life to win 2 National Championships as an undergraduate in 2013 & 2016 and is enrolled in the Doctorate program for Chiropractics. He plays for the Life University Men’s Senior Team and is an Assistant Backs Coach to the Life University undergraduate team who he helped propel to a 2019 D1A USA Rugby Collegiate National Championship.
Zander’s leadership should be invaluable as he takes the next step in Major League Rugby.
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