The Free Jacks signed Jacobus Herman Agenbag through the 2024 Major League Rugby season. The 21-year-old tighthead prop (22 in February) is 5’11 and 265 lbs. He also has previously played loosehead prop as well.
Herman is from Bloemfontein, South Africa. He played rugby at Grey College, as well as was a South African junior athlete in track and field with the discus and shot put.
In 2018 he also played rugby for the Free State Cheetahs U18s, the South African Schools, and the South African U18s.
In 2019 he played with the Golden Lions U19s, playing one match in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge, and the following year with the Golden Lions U21s, where the team finished in second place in the South African U21 Rugby Championship.
In 2020 he also played for the University of Johannesburg in the 2020 FNB Varsity Cup and played in the tournament again in 2021. He also pursued an Advanced Certificate of General Management. In 2020 he played for AMD Valke Falcons for one match in the Currie Cup First Division against Eastern Province.
New England Free Jacks Comments
“If you don’t fight for what you want, you can’t cry for what you lost,” recited Agenbag. His relentless spirit throughout his rugby career has taken Agenbag from a Lions U19 team to an MLR contract at the age of just 21.
“Herman is a young up and coming tighthead with massive potential, commented Free Jack Head Coach, Scott Mathie. “He comes from the most prestigious rugby school in South Africa and has excelled at age-group levels as well as the varsity cup.”
“Like all SA props they pride themselves on their scrum work but what Herman can bring around the field with his dynamic ball carries and agility with the ball in hand is something you don’t see in many tightheads and is why he has such an exciting future ahead of him. We are looking forward to working with him and helping him reach that potential.”
Stepping into a fierce front row in New England, Agenbag will have plenty of opportunities to develop under the wings of veteran players within the forward pack. Opposing front rows be wary as the Free Jacks add yet another prop threat to the roster as the 2022 season quickly approaches.
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