Nardus van der Walt

Hendrik Bernardus van der Walt (born (1992-02-22)22 February 1992) is a South African professional rugby union player for Aurillac in the Rugby Pro D2 in France.^[1] His regular position is flanker or number eight.

Nardus van der Walt

Full name	Hendrik Bernardus van der Walt
Date of birth	(1992-02-22) 22 February 1992 (age 32)
Place of birth	Rustenburg, South Africa
Height	1.89 m (6 ft 2+1⁄2 in)
Weight	100 kg (15 st 10 lb; 220 lb)
School	Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool, Pretoria
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flanker / Number eight Current team Aurillac Youth career 2009–2013 Blue Bulls Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2013 UP Tuks 1 (0) Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2013–2015 Blue Bulls 15 (20) 2015 Bulls 0 (0) 2015 Griquas 7 (0) 2016–2018 Pumas 31 (20) 2017–2018 → Munakata Sanix Blues 7 (0) 2018–present Aurillac 0 (0) Correct as of 27 October 2018 International career Years Team Apps (Points) 2010 S.A. Under-18 High Performance Correct as of 4 February 2015

Career

Youth and Varsity Cup rugby

Van der Walt went to Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool in Pretoria, where he earned a selection into the Blue Bulls side that played at the Under-18 Craven Week competitions in both 2009 and 2010. In 2010, he was also selected in a South African Under-18 High Performance squad that played matches against Namibia, France and England.^[2]

Van der Walt appeared in eleven of the Blue Bulls U19 team's matches during the 2011 Under-19 Provincial Championship, helping his side reach the final of the competition, where they lost to Gauteng rivals, the Golden Lions U19.

In 2013, he made one appearance for UP Tuks in the 2013 Varsity Cup competition against NWU Pukke^[3] before moving to the Blue Bulls Vodacom Cup squad. He made ten appearances for the Blue Bulls U21 side in the 2013 Under-21 Provincial Championship, once again finishing as a losing finalist.

Blue Bulls

Van der Walt made his first class debut during the 2013 Vodacom Cup competition, starting in their 40–32 victory over Griquas in Kimberley.^[4] He played in all seven of their round-robin matches, scoring his first senior try in their 110–0 victory over the Limpopo Blue Bulls in Lephalale^[5] and scoring a brace in their next match against the Griffons, with his first try coming in the seventh minute of the match to set the Blue Bulls on their way to achieving an 89–10 win.^[6]

Van der Walt then spent some time playing sevens rugby, representing South Africa Sevens Academy side Samurai at the 7s Premier League competition and at an invitational tournament in Dubai^[7] and the Blue Bulls at the 2014 World Club 7s in England.^[8]

Van der Walt was named in the Bulls squad prior to the 2015 Super Rugby season.^[9]

Griquas

Van der Walt joined Kimberley-based side Griquas prior to the 2015 Currie Cup qualification series, signing a deal until October 2015.^[10]

Pumas

Van der Walt moved back north for the 2016 season, joining Nelspruit-based outfit the Pumas.^[11]

Aurillac

Van der Walt moved to French Pro D2 side Aurillac after the 2018 Currie Cup Premier Division.^[12]

References

1. "SA Rugby Player Profile – Nardus van der Walt". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
2. "Craven-Week: Drie Oos-Kapenaars in; Nasionale skolespan in Welkom aangewys" (in Afrikaans). Beeld. 5 July 2010. Archived from the original on 4 February 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
3. "SA Rugby Match Centre – FNB NWU-Pukke 26–23 FNB UP-Tuks 1". South African Rugby Union. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
4. "SA Rugby Match Centre – GWK Griquas 32–40 Vodacom Blue Bulls". South African Rugby Union. 9 March 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
5. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Assupol Limpopo Blue Bulls 0–110 Vodacom Blue Bulls". South African Rugby Union. 20 April 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
6. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Vodacom Blue Bulls 89–10 Down Touch Griffons". South African Rugby Union. 27 April 2013. Retrieved 21 September 2016.
7. "Blitsbok Branco weer reg vir aksie" (in Afrikaans). Beeld. 28 November 2013. Archived from the original on 4 February 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
8. "Bulle wil drieë-droogte beëindig" (in Afrikaans). Beeld. 31 July 2014. Archived from the original on 4 February 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
9. "Vodacom Bulls Team". Bulls. Archived from the original on 4 February 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
10. "Johan Wessels sluit hom ook by Griekwas aan". Netwerk24 (in Afrikaans). 10 June 2015. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
11. "Steval Pumas announce new contracts". Rugby15. 29 July 2015. Retrieved 29 July 2015.
12. "2018-2019 : Les Recrues !" (Press release) (in French). Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne. 24 May 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2018.