According to American Rugby News, Ruben de Haas has signed a short-term deal with Austin Gilgronis until the July test window. The 22-year-old scrumhalf is 6’0″ and 185 lbs.
In 2020-2021 Ruben earned a first Currie Cup start with the Cheetahs, as well as three appearances in Super Rugby Unlocked. An early release from his Cheetahs contract enabled him to join the Austin Gilgronis prior to his two-year deal with the Saracens in the UK.
Ruben was born in George, Western Cape, South Africa before immigrating in 2009 when he was 10-years-old with his parents to Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. His family joined his grandmother, who married a man from Arkansas, in emigrating.
He attended Jessieville High School in Arkansas through his 2017 graduation. He played varsity football as a running back, free safety, and was the team’s kicker in 2016. He also played rugby for the Little Rock Junior Stormers and was a High School All-American in 2015-2017.
Ruben played two matches with the USA U19s on their 2016 tour to Ontario and was the team’s captain. He also played for the USA U20s that year in the World Rugby Trophy competition and was the team’s vice-captain the following year.
In 2017 he played for the USA Selects in the Pacific Rugby Challenge, and signed an Academy contract with Free State, playing for the U19s in the 2017 U19 Provincial Championship. In 2018 he played with CUT IXIAS in the 2018 Varsity Cup, earned his first cap for the USA on 17 February 2018 in the American Rugby Championship against Chile. He also played for the Free State XV during 2018-2019 and made his debut against the Griffons in the 2018 Rugby Challenge. He has played for the Cheetahs in Pro 14 from 2018-2020, and the Free State Cheetahs in 2020. In November 2020, Ruben de Haas became a third-generation Cheetah as he made his Super Rugby debut for the side against the Sharks. He is the third member of his family to play for the Cheetahs following his grandfather Gerard and father Pieter.
Ruben has earned 17 test caps for the USA. For Eagle #522, his last test was at the 2019 Rugby World Cup against Tonga on 13 October. During the RWC, he played in four matches, starting twice.
Ruben will join the Saracens later this Summer after signing a two-year contract. Prior to that, he will play with the Austin Gilgronis until the July USA tests.
Ruben will be one of four scrumhalf options while with Austin. Samoa international Pele Cowley, Chile’s Marcelo Torrealba, and American prospect Sidney Shoop are other options. Torrealba will join the Cóndores for their upcoming World Cup Qualifiers in June.
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