Jan Lodewyk Serfontein (born 15 April 1993) is a South African professional rugby union rugby player. He plays as a centre for French Top 14 side Montpellier. He established himself as one of Montpellier's key players and made a major contribution to the club's first French Top 14 title in 2022.

Jan Serfontein
Serfontein playing for the Springboks in the 2015 Rugby World Cup
Full nameJan Lodewyk Serfontein
Date of birth (1993-04-15) 15 April 1993 (age 31)
Place of birthPort Elizabeth, South Africa
Height1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)
Weight97 kg (15 st 4 lb; 214 lb)
SchoolGrey High School, Port Elizabeth /
Grey College, Bloemfontein
Notable relative(s)Boela Serfontein (brother)
Boelie Serfontein (father)
Jack Slater (great grandfather)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
Current team Montpellier
Youth career
2006–2008 Eastern Province Kings
2009–2011 Free State Cheetahs
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012–2017 Blue Bulls 15 (20)
2013–2017 Bulls 60 (85)
2017–present Montpellier 114 (105)
Correct as of 19 January 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012 South Africa U20 5 (20)
2013–2017 South Africa 35 (25)
Correct as of 13 April 2018
Medal record
Men's Rugby union
Representing  South Africa
Rugby World Cup
Bronze medal – third place 2015 England Squad

Career

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Serfontein was a member of the South Africa under 20 team that won the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship. His performances in the tournament led to him being named 2012 IRB Junior Player of the Year.[1] He was also included in the squad for the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship,[2] but was later withdrawn to make him available for the senior national team.

Serfontein made his debut for the Springboks versus Italy on 8 June 2013 at Kings Park Stadium in Durban, playing from the bench as a replacement for Bryan Habana from the 71st minute.

Personal

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Serfontein is the younger brother of lock Boela Serfontein. His father Boelie was also a provincial rugby player, playing as a number eight for Eastern Province, and his grandfather was Jack Slater, a former Springbok winger.[3]

Springbok statistics

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Test match record

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Against Pld W D L Try Con Pen DG Pts %Won
  Argentina
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
100
  Australia
4
3
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
75
  England
1
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
5
100
  Ireland
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
  Italy
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
100
  New Zealand
4
1
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
25
  Samoa
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
100
  Scotland
2
2
0
0
1
0
0
0
5
100
  Wales
3
2
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
66.67
Total 20 14 0 6 2 0 0 0 10 70

Pld = Games Played, W = Games Won, D = Games Drawn, L = Games Lost, Try = Tries Scored, Con = Conversions, Pen = Penalties, DG = Drop Goals, Pts = Points Scored

International Tries

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Try Opponent Location Venue Competition Date Result
1   Scotland Nelspruit, South Africa Mbombela Stadium Mid-year rugby test series 15 June 2013 Won 30–17
2   England London, England Twickenham Stadium End-of-year rugby test series 15 November 2014 Won 31–28

References

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  1. ^ "IRB Junior Player of the Year". Archived from the original on 13 November 2014. Retrieved 3 August 2012.
  2. ^ "Steenkamp leads powerful SA U20 JWC squad". South African Rugby Union. 25 April 2013. Archived from the original on 7 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  3. ^ "Cheetahs kies Bok se broer Boela". Volksblad. 8 May 2014. Retrieved 9 May 2014.[permanent dead link]
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