Ryan Desmond Nell (born 4 September 1990 in Port Elizabeth) is a South African rugby union player for the Pumas in the Currie Cup and Rugby ATL in Major League Rugby (MLR) in the United States.[1] He is a utility back that can play as a centre, winger or full-back.

Ryan Nell
Full nameRyan Desmond Nell
Date of birth (1990-09-04) 4 September 1990 (age 34)
Place of birthPort Elizabeth, South Africa
Height1.92 m (6 ft 3+12 in)
Weight97 kg (15 st 4 lb; 214 lb)
SchoolPaarl Gimnasium, Paarl
UniversityStellenbosch University
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre / Winger / Full-back
Current team Pumas / Rugby ATL
Youth career
2009–2011 Western Province
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2011–2013 Maties 25 (35)
2014–2015 UP Tuks 8 (5)
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2013 Western Province 2 (0)
2014–2015 Blue Bulls 9 (10)
2016 Boland Cavaliers 18 (65)
2017–present Pumas 30 (50)
2020–present Rugby ATL 5 (0)
Correct as of 3 March 2021
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012 South Africa Sevens
2013 South African Universities 1 (0)
Correct as of 11 May 2014

Career

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Youth and Varsity Cup rugby

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He represented the Western Province U19 and Western Province U21 teams between 2009 and 2011 and also played for university side Maties in the 2011, 2012 and 2013 Varsity Cup competitions.

Western Province

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His first class debut came during the 2013 Currie Cup Premier Division, when he came on as a substitute for Western Province against the Free State Cheetahs at Newlands Stadium, Cape Town.[2]

Blue Bulls

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He joined the Blue Bulls for the 2014 season.

Boland Cavaliers

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He joined Wellington-based side Boland Cavaliers on trial prior to the 2016 season.[3]

Rugby ATL

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Nell joined Major League Rugby side Rugby ATL for the 2020 Major League Rugby season.[4]

Sevens rugby

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In 2012, he was included in the S.A. Sevens side and played in two tournaments in the 2011–12 IRB Sevens World Series, the 2012 Scotland Sevens and the 2012 London Sevens.

References

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  1. ^ "SA Rugby Player Profile – Ryan Nell". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  2. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – DHL Western Province 15–14 Toyota Free State Cheetahs". South African Rugby Union. 17 August 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  3. ^ "Cavaliers Currie Cup squad and coaching staff announcement". Rugby15. 21 January 2016. Archived from the original on 27 January 2016. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  4. ^ "Pumas se 'Whitey' gaan in Amerika speel". Netwerk24 (in Afrikaans). 18 September 2019. Retrieved 19 September 2019.