Chris Cloete

Christopher Anthony Cloete (born (1991-02-15)15 February 1991 in East London, South Africa) is a South African rugby union player, currently playing domestic rugby with the Pumas and Super Rugby with the Kings.^[1] His regular position is flanker.

Career

Border Bulldogs / South African Schools

Cloete grew up in East London and was included in a number of youth provincial sides; he represented them at the 2004 Under-13 Craven Week, the 2006 Under-16 Grant Khomo Week and at the Under-18 Craven Week competitions in both 2008 and 2009.

He was also included in the 2009 South African Schools side. He came on as a replacement in their 86–3 victory against Italy^[2] and started their 13–45 defeat to England^[3] in two matches played in August 2009.

Sharks

After high school, Cloete moved to Durban to join the Sharks Academy. He made appearances for the Sharks U19 side in the 2009 and 2010 Under-19 Provincial Championships, before suffering a broken leg in their 2010 match against the Griffons^[4] which ruled him out of action for a year.

He returned to action for the Sharks U21s in 2011, scoring three tries in fourteen appearances in the 2011 Under-21 Provincial Championship.

In 2012, he was included in the Sharks XV Vodacom Cup squad for the first time and he made his first class debut in his hometown of East London, coming on as a replacement in a 42–0 victory against former side Border Bulldogs.^[5] He played off the bench in a 15–17 defeat to Western Province a week later to make his home debut^[6] and then made his first start in his next match, also marking the occasion by scoring his first try in a 51–38 victory over the Free State XV.^[7] He made one more start and three appearances off the bench in the remainder of the competition and started a six matches for the Sharks U21s in the 2012 Under-21 Provincial Championship in the second half of 2012.

Western Province

In 2013, Cloete moved to Cape Town to join Western Province. He made his debut for Western Province in the 2013 Vodacom Cup competition, starting their match against Western Cape rivals Boland Cavaliers and scoring a try in a 17–17 draw between the sides in Ceres.^[8] He started their next match against the Sharks,^[9] as well as their match after that, a 43–18 win against the Eastern Province Kings, with Cloete getting a first-half hat-trick in the match.^[10] He also started their 22–13 victory over the Border Bulldogs, scoring his fifth try of the competition^[11] to finish as Western Province's top try scorer in the competition.^[12]

Varsity Cup

In 2014, Cloete joined Port Elizabeth-based university side NMMU Madibaz. He played in all eight of their matches during the 2014 Varsity Cup, which saw the Madibaz reach their second consecutive semi-final in the competition. Cloete was the top try scorer in the competition, scoring eight tries in his eight appearances.^[13] This included five tries in their opening match of the campaign, a 45–29 victory over three-times champions, Maties.^[14]

Kandy

After the 2014 Varsity Cup competition, Cloete moved to Sri Lanka to join Dialog Rugby League and Clifford Cup side Kandy.^[15] He helped the side win the competition, beating Navy in a two-legged final.^[16] Cloete was the top try scorer in the league (and also scored a try in the final),^[16] but sustained an injury prior to their 2015 Clifford Cup and returned to South Africa to have an operation.^[17]

Return to Western Province

Upon his return to South Africa, Cloete joined Hamilton rugby club.^[18] He was included in Western Province squad for the 2015 Currie Cup Premier Division and named on the bench for their opening match of the season against Griquas.^[19]

Pumas

He joined Nelspruit-based side the Pumas for the 2016 season.^[20]

Personal

He is the younger brother of prop Wesley Cloete.

References