Werner Griesel (born 1 July 1986) is a South African professional rugby union player, currently playing with the Griffons.[1] His regular position is centre and he occasionally plays on the wing.
| Date of birth | 1 July 1986 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Welkom, South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 90 kg (14 st 2 lb; 198 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Welkom Gymnasium | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | University of the Free State | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Career
editYouth
editGriesel played first team rugby for his high school, Welkom Gymnasium, in 2003 and 2004, earning a call-up to the Griffons side that played at the 2004 Under-18 Craven Week tournament in Potchefstroom.[2]
He enrolled at the Bloemfontein-based University of the Free State in 2005 where he appeared for the Free State U19[3] and for the Free State U21 side in 2006 and 2007.[4]
Griffons
edit2008 saw Griesel return to Welkom to link up with the Griffons once again.[5] He made his first class debut in the team's 51–7 defeat to Western Province in Bellville, with Griesel scoring the Griffons' only try of the match in the 75th minute.[6] He firmly established himself as a first team regular for the Griffons, making in excess of 100 appearances for the side in Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup competitions over the next few years, captaining the side more than 50 times.
Free State Cheetahs
editGriesel made one single first class appearance for a side other than the Griffons. Following an injury crisis at the Free State Cheetahs,[7] Griesel was included in their 2011 Currie Cup Premier Division match against the Griquas. Griesel came on as a substitute with twenty minutes to go and scored a try within a minute of coming on with his first touch of the ball, to help the Cheetahs to a 49–39 victory in Bloemfontein.[8]
References
edit- ^ "SA Rugby Player Profile – Werner Griesel". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
- ^ "Vrystaters swig voor Blou Bulle" (in Afrikaans). Volksblad. 28 June 2004. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
- ^ "Hollenbach kan teen WP wys hy wil Cheetah word" (in Afrikaans). Volksblad. 3 September 2005. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
- ^ "VS-o.21's se stryd beslis 'n moeilike een". Volksblad. 30 August 2007. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
- ^ "Pienaar wil sien of kombinasies gedy". Volksblad. 15 February 2008. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Vodacom WP 51–7 Griffons". South African Rugby Union. 23 February 2008. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
- ^ "Perses-kaptein kan VS uithelp". Volksblad. 12 October 2011. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
- ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Toyota Free State Cheetahs 49–39 GWK Griquas". South African Rugby Union. 15 October 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2016.