Austin Gilgronis signed USA Eagle #503 Marcel Brache for the 2022 Major League Rugby season. The 34-year-old center/wing is 6’3″ and 237 lbs.
Marcel was born in Los Angeles, California, but raised in South Africa. He attended Rondebosch Boys High School and then the University of Cape Town, where he played for /UCT Ikey Tigers in 2010-2011 in the Varsity Cup.
From 2010-2013 he played with Western Province in both the Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup competitions, and in 2012 he made one Super Rugby appearance with the Stormers.
His rugby journey took him to Perth, Australia in 2014, where he played for the Perth Spirit from 2014-2017. He also played for Western Force from 2014-2021, making 58 appearances.
From 2015-2019 he enrolled at the University of Notre Dame Australia and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication and Media, Journalism.
Marcel has played with the USA Men’s National XVs TEam since his debut against Tonga at San Sebastian on November 19, 2016. He started all four matches in the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. His last of his 28 tests (27 starts) was in the 2023 RWC Americas Qualifier against Uruguay at Montevideo on October 9, 2021.
Austin Gilgronis Comments
“Bryce Campbell, Will Magie, and Ruben de Haas spoke highly of the environment and ambitions within the squad and then Coach Sam Harris made me optimistic and excited about the move to Austin,” says Brache. “Austin looks to be a place that’s wanting to garner success, be a championship-winning side, and they’re also wanting to be a unique, global franchise and world-class organization that can compete with the best in the world – I’m just excited to be a part of it.”
AG Rugby Head Coach Sam Harris feels Brache’s signing will be a huge coup for the organization. “We’re delighted to bring Marcel into the AG family, He is a quality player that affords us flexibility in the outside backs,” says Harris. “His experience over the last 8 seasons in Australia and on the international stage with the Eagles have him coming from a different angle to most American players. He will only add to the group of outstanding young men we already have at AG rugby.”
Brache joins an AG team excited to reload and make another push at the MLR Shield. The squad fell just a match short of the playoffs last season and is hoping Brache’s addition can help put the team over the top.
“My job first and foremost is a rugby player and I look to build on the established standard of success by competing every day, and on top of that I think I can be a supporting character to the younger guys on the team and in the local rugby community,” says Brache.
Welcome to the AG family, Marcel Brache!
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