Ruwellyn Isbell

Ruwellyn Miguel Isbell (born 17 February 1993) is a South African professional rugby union player for the Pumas in the Currie Cup and in the Rugby Challenge.^[1] His regular position is winger.

Ruwellyn Isbell

Full name	Ruwellyn Miguel Isbell
Date of birth	(1993-02-17) 17 February 1993 (age 31)
Place of birth	Somerset East, South Africa
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight	88 kg (194 lb; 13 st 12 lb)
School	Grey College, Bloemfontein
Rugby union career
Position(s) Winger Youth career 2006 Eastern Province Kings 2009–2011 Free State Cheetahs 2012 Blue Bulls Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2014–2021 Pumas 66 (150) Correct as of 12 January 2022 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2010 S.A. Under-18 High Performance 2011 S.A. Schools 0 (0) 2012 South Africa Sevens Correct as of 12 March 2014
Medal record Men's rugby sevens Representing  South Africa World Games 2013 Cali Team competition

Career

Youth

In 2006, he appeared for Eastern Province at the Under-13 Craven Week competition. He then joined Grey College in Bloemfontein and played for the Free State Under-16 side at the 2009 Grant Khomo Week and their Under-18 side at the 2011 Craven Week, alongside future Springbok Jan Serfontein.^[2]

In 2010, he was included in an Under-18 High Performance squad that played in international friendlies against youth sides from France, Namibia and England.^[3] The following year, he was included in the S.A. Schools side that faced a France Invitational side,^[4] but missed the game through injury.^[2]

He moved to Pretoria in 2012 to join the Blue Bulls academy. He made ten appearances and scored three tries during the 2012 Under-19 Provincial Championship competition as the Blue Bulls U19 side reached the final of the competition.

Sevens

At the end of 2012, Isbell received a call-up to the South Africa Sevens side for the 2012–13 IRB Sevens World Series^[5] and he made his debut at the 2012 Gold Coast Sevens.^[6] He also played in the Dubai and South African legs of the competition and won a gold medal at the 2013 World Games.^[7][8]

Pumas

He moved to Nelspruit-based side Pumas in 2014. He was included in their squad for the 2014 Vodacom Cup competition^[9] and made his debut for them in the opening match of the season against the Falcons.^[10]

He was a member of the Pumas side that won the Vodacom Cup for the first time in 2015, beating Western Province 24–7 in the final.^[11] Isbell made three appearances during the season, scoring three tries.

References

1. "SA Rugby Player Profile – Ruwellyn Isbell". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
2. "Coastal derbies dominate in South Section – Vodacom Cup round 2 Preview". South African Rugby Union. 12 March 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
3. "SARU announce U/18 High Performance Squad". RuggaWorld. 7 July 2010. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
4. "SA Schools and SA Academy Teams Announced". Rugby15. 16 July 2011. Archived from the original on 3 March 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
5. "Two new caps for Blitzbokke". Sport24. 4 October 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
6. "Silver lining for Blitzbokke". Rugby365. 14 October 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
7. "2013 World Games Athlete Information : Ruwellyn Isbell". 2013 World Games. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
8. "Eight nations gear up for World Games gold". International Rugby Board. 24 July 2013. Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
9. "SA Rugby Squad – Steval Pumas : 2014 Vodacom Cup". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
10. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Valke 6–26 Steval Pumas". South African Rugby Union. 7 March 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
11. "Steval Pumas first-time Vodacom Cup champions – Final Review". South African Rugby Union. 31 May 2015. Archived from the original on 9 June 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2016.