The Dallas Jackals signed Adriaan Carelse for the 2022 Major League Rugby season after a trade with Rugby ATL. The 26-year-old fullback/flyhalf (27 in February) is 5’9″ and 175 lbs.
Adriaan grew up in Sir Lowry’s Pass, a small town outside of Somerset West, South Africa. He was the rugby 1st team captain with Hottentots Holland High School and also played youth rugby with Western Province in 2013-2014. In 2013 he was with the U18s, and in 2014 with the U19s, and helped lead them in the Provincial Championship to a 3rd place finish.
In 2015 he joined the Boland Cavaliers, playing for the U21s in the Provincial Championship and then with the Currie Cup team, which finished in fourth place in the qualification series. In the 2016 Currie Cup qualification, the team finished in third place and qualified for the Premier Division the following year.
Adriaan continued with the Boland Cavaliers through the 2018 season and then moved to Wellington and played with the Free State XV in the Rugby Challenge. From 2018-2020 he also played with the Toyota Cheetahs in the Currie Cup.
Dallas Jackals Comments
Carelse said, “I am amped to be a part of the process wherein we can introduce fans to an exciting brand of rugby, and further add my value to the team in any aspect possible.”
He continued, “I am eager to work under the Jackals coaching staff, and experience their knowledge and expertise of the game, to better myself as an overall player.”
Jackals GM Elaine Vassie said, “Really pleased to work with ATL to be able to trade to secure Adriaan as we head into 2022. Adriaan’s desire to play as a ball in hand 10 and create/manipulate to make opportunities, fits so well with the Jackal brand. His focus on continual improvement to serve the team really stood out. Very much looking forward to welcoming him to Dallas!”
Welcome to the Pack Adriaan!
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