Representative teams

Question
Hi Nic.I am 18,from Pretoria-South Africa,I have played for my School's 1st team for 2 years,am 92kg,play outside centre and will be coming to USA next year on a rugby scholarship.I would just like to ask what representative teams is an aspiring SA player like myself able to play for in USA?This is from the university level to the highest level possible?


Answer
G'day Jason,

I am assuming you have a scholarship at Highschool level? If so I would look to the western colleges like stanford who a pretty strong. Some ivy league colleges have a rugby program too.

Your best bet is to get in touch with USA rugby directly. They should have someone who can give you more information.

From the college level rugby you enter the senior mens division. Div. 1 is a level equal two a div 2 reserve grade team in NZ or SA> The next step up is Super League. The Super League is loosely semi-pro. This level of rugby can be equal to senior reserve and in the 1/4 finals and above there can be potential for a higher level of play.

You must keep in mind that USA rugby is still very much an amatuer game. The funding is limited and organisation is not at the institutional level of SA or NZ etc.

You will find that if you are an above average player in a team with few foreign nationals that you will be quickly put in a leadership role even on an informal basis. That is good for your leadership growth. As for skills and level of competition frankly if you have been playing at a high level in SA the USA rugby you will experience will not match up.

Socially the US teams have all areas equal to any other country so you can expect to make good mates and haver a great time.