Clinton Swart
{{Short description|South African rugby union footballer}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use South African English|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox rugby union biography
| name = Clinton Swart
| image =File:Clinton_Swart_2018a.jpg
| fullname = Clinton Ryno Swart
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1992|09|06|df=y}}
| birth_place = Standerton, South Africa
| height = {{height|m=1.84}}
| weight = {{convert|98|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on}}
| nickname =
| occupation =
| school = Standerton Hoërskool, Standerton
| university = University of Pretoria
| relatives =
| position = Fly-half / Inside centre
| currentclub = {{Rut|Shizuoka Blue Revs}}
| youthyears1 = 2010–2011
| youthclubs1 = {{Rut|Pumas}}
| youthyears2 = 2012–2013
| youthclubs2 = {{Rut|Blue Bulls}}
| years1 = 2014
| clubs1 = {{Rut|Falcons}}
| apps1 = 4
| points1 = 3
| years2 = 2015–2017
| clubs2 = {{Rut|Griquas}}
| apps2 = 41
| points2 = 266
| years3 = 2017–2018
| clubs3 = {{Rut|Cheetahs}}
| apps3 = 17
| points3 = 20
| years4 = 2018–2020
| clubs4 = Toyota Verblitz
| apps4 = 11
| points4 = 60
| years5 = 2020–2021
| clubs5 = {{Rut|Bulls}}
| apps5 = 5
| points5 = 0
| years6 = 2020–2021
| clubs6 = {{Rut|Blue Bulls}}
| apps6 = 1
| points6 = 2
| years7 = 2022–
| clubs7 = {{Rut|Shizuoka Blue Revs}}
| apps7 =
| points7 =
| amatyears1 = 2014
| amatteam1 = {{Rut|UP Tuks}}
| amatapps1 = 0
| amatpoints1 = 0
| clubupdate = 13 September 2021
}}
Clinton Ryno Swart (born 6 September 1992) is a professional South African rugby union player for Toyota Verblitz in the Top League in Japan.{{SA Rugby Player Profile | id=51655 | name=Clinton Swart | date=29 May 2016}} His regular position is fly-half or inside centre.
Career
=Youth=
Swart played first team rugby for Hoërskool Standerton between 2009 and 2011,{{cite web | url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/2009/05/25/JP/7/JPSport001-_Rules.html | title=Standerton skraap deur teen Ligbron | publisher=Beeld | date=25 May 2009 | access-date=15 October 2014 | language=Afrikaans | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019092303/http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/2009/05/25/JP/7/JPSport001-_Rules.html | archive-date=19 October 2014 | url-status=dead }} resulting in his call-up to the {{Rut|Pumas}} squad for the Under-18 Craven Week tournament. He played in two of their matches in the competition, scoring eight points with the boot as his side beat their {{Rut|Griquas}} counterparts 38–7{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=19404 | homeid=8159 | awayid=8157 | leagueid=779 | hometeam=Pumas | homescore=38 | awayscore=7 | awayteam=Griquas | matchdate=1 July 2010 | date=14 April 2016}} and a further six points in their 28–11 defeat to the {{Rut|Golden Lions}}.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=19413 | homeid=8151 | awayid=8159 | leagueid=779 | hometeam=Lions | homescore=28 | awayscore=11 | awayteam=Pumas | matchdate=3 July 2010 | date=14 April 2016}}
In 2011, Swart became involved with the {{Rut|Pumas U19}} side that competed in the 2011 Under-19 Provincial Championship. Playing at inside centre, he made five appearances in the competition, scoring one try and kicking three conversions to end with a points tally of 11.
The following year, Swart moved to Pretoria where he joined the {{Rut|Blue Bulls}} and made two substitute appearances for the {{Rut|Blue Bulls U21}} side during the 2012 Under-19 Provincial Championship. He was also included in the {{Rut|UP Tuks}}' Varsity Cup squad in 2014, but failed to make any appearances for the university side.
=Falcons=
In 2014, Swart made the short move from Pretoria to the East Rand to join the {{Rut|Falcons}} during the 2014 Currie Cup First Division. He made his first class debut when he came on as a substitute in their 36–27 victory over Welkom-based side the {{Rut|Griffons}}.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=133324 | homeid=23054 | awayid=23034 | leagueid=2154 | hometeam=Valke | homescore=36 | awayscore=27 | awayteam=Down Touch Griffons | matchdate=20 September 2014 | date=14 April 2016}} Despite a defeat in his next appearance in their final match of the regular season against the {{Rut|Leopards}},{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=133334 | homeid=23014 | awayid=23054 | leagueid=2154 | hometeam=Leopards | homescore=50 | awayscore=29 | awayteam=Valke | matchdate=27 September 2014 | date=14 April 2016}} the Falcons secured qualification to the semi-finals of the competition, where they were due to meet the same opponents. This time, the Falcons ran out 31–24 winners over the {{Rut|Leopards}} in Potchefstroom,{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=133364 | homeid=23014 | awayid=23054 | leagueid=2154 | hometeam=Leopards | homescore=24 | awayscore=31 | awayteam=Valke | matchdate=3 October 2014 | date=14 April 2016}} with Swart – making his first ever senior start – being a key player in their surprise victory, setting up tries for JP Mostert and Dirk Dippenaar.{{cite web | url=http://www.suparugby.com/Pages/Default.asp?More=Oud-Tukkies%20sink%20Luiperds%20-%203%20Oktober%202014&FeatureID=22867&SectionID=38 | title=Oud-Tukkies sink Luiperds | publisher=SupaRugby | date=3 October 2014 | access-date=15 October 2014 | language=Afrikaans | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022230302/http://www.suparugby.com/Pages/Default.asp?More=Oud-Tukkies%20sink%20Luiperds%20-%203%20Oktober%202014&FeatureID=22867&SectionID=38 | archive-date=22 October 2014}}
However, his inclusion in the side for the semi-final proved to be controversial, as the {{Rut|Leopards}} lodged a complaint with the South African Rugby Union regarding Swart's eligibility to play in the match. The Leopards argued that he was only available to the Falcons for the final two matches of the Currie Cup First Division competition and therefore not eligible to play in the Semi-Finals. However, SARU Judicial Officer Rob Stelzner SC, ruled that Swart fulfilled the required eligibility criteria and rejected the complaint.{{cite web | url=http://www.sarugby.net/component/supersportcontent/21329?view=news | title=Verdict delivered in Absa Currie Cup First Division eligibility complaint | publisher=South African Rugby Union | date=13 October 2014 | access-date=14 October 2014}}
=Griquas=
In October 2014, it was announced that Swart signed a two-year contract with {{Rut|Griquas}} to play his rugby in Kimberley in 2015 and 2016.{{cite web | url=http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/2014/10/15/29/hcbeer-B1-01_32_0_77501661.html | title=Valke se Swart is soos Honiball | publisher=Beeld | date=15 October 2014 | access-date=15 October 2014 | language=Afrikaans | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141019091852/http://152.111.1.88/argief/berigte/beeld/2014/10/15/29/hcbeer-B1-01_32_0_77501661.html | archive-date=19 October 2014 | url-status=dead }} Shortly after signing the contract Naka Drotské, the head coach of Super Rugby side the {{Rut|Cheetahs}}, released the names of his side's wider training squad prior to the 2015 Super Rugby season, with Swart included the 59-man shortlist.{{cite web | url=http://152.111.11.6/argief/berigte/volksblad/2014/10/15/24/jtcheetgroep_32_0_74378527.html | title=Geen verrassings | publisher=Volksblad | date=15 October 2014 | access-date=15 October 2014 | language=Afrikaans | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423025122/http://152.111.11.6/argief/berigte/volksblad/2014/10/15/24/jtcheetgroep_32_0_74378527.html | archive-date=23 April 2016 | url-status=dead }} He did not make the final group for the competition,{{cite web | url=http://www.fscheetahs.co.za/News.aspx?newsid=2784 | title=2015 Toyota Cheetah Group | publisher=Cheetahs | date=3 February 2015 | access-date=3 February 2015}} instead representing Griquas in the 2015 Vodacom Cup, where he made six appearances as Griquas reached the quarter final of the competition. Swart kicked twelve points on his Griquas debut in a match against the {{Rut|Border Bulldogs}} in a 37–25 victory{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=140464 | homeid=24624 | awayid=24404 | leagueid=2304 | hometeam=GWK Griquas | homescore=37 | awayscore=25 | awayteam=Border Bulldogs | matchdate=11 April 2015 | date=14 April 2016}} and scored his first try for Griquas in their next match, a 62–19 win over the {{Rut|Boland Cavaliers}} in Velddrif.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=140544 | homeid=24374 | awayid=24624 | leagueid=2304 | hometeam=Boland Cavaliers | homescore=19 | awayscore=62 | awayteam=GWK Griquas | matchdate=18 April 2015 | date=14 April 2016}} He played off the bench in their quarter final match against the {{Rut|Pumas}}, but could not prevent his side being eliminated from the competition after losing the match 14–28 to the eventual champions.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=140834 | homeid=24624 | awayid=24334 | leagueid=2304 | hometeam=GWK Griquas | homescore=14 | awayscore=28 | awayteam=Steval Pumas | matchdate=15 May 2015 | date=14 April 2016}}
Swart made five appearances for Griquas during the 2015 Currie Cup qualification series. He scored one try in their top-of-the-table clash with the {{Rut|Leopards}}{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=141164 | homeid=24724 | awayid=24764 | leagueid=2324 | hometeam=Leopards | homescore=21 | awayscore=48 | awayteam=ORC Griquas | matchdate=27 June 2015 | date=14 April 2016}} and one in their match against the {{Rut|Falcons}} in a 57–33 victory in Kempton Park{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=141254 | homeid=24774 | awayid=24764 | leagueid=2324 | hometeam=Hino Valke | homescore=33 | awayscore=57 | awayteam=ORC Griquas | matchdate=18 July 2015 | date=14 April 2016}} to help Griquas win the qualifying series to secure a spot in the 2015 Currie Cup Premier Division. He made his Currie Cup Premier Division debut against his former side the {{Rut|Blue Bulls}} in a 12–36 defeat in Round Two of the competition.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=144714 | homeid=26644 | awayid=26574 | leagueid=2494 | hometeam=Vodacom Blue Bulls | homescore=36 | awayscore=12 | awayteam=ORC Griquas | matchdate=14 August 2015 | date=14 April 2016}} He signed a contract extension with Griquas, committing him to the team until the end of 2017.{{cite web | url=http://www.netwerk24.com/sport/rugby/2015-09-08-clinton-swart-gedy-in-nuwe-posisie | title=Clinton Swart gedy in 'nuwe posisie' | work=Netwerk24 | date=8 September 2015 | access-date=8 September 2015 | language=Afrikaans}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Shizuoka Blue Revs squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Swart, Clinton}}
Category:South African rugby union players
Category:People from Standerton
Category:Rugby union fly-halves
Category:Falcons (rugby union) players
Category:Griquas (rugby union) players
Category:Cheetahs (rugby union) players
Category:Toyota Verblitz players
Category:Bulls (rugby union) players
Category:Shizuoka Blue Revs players
Category:Rugby union players from Mpumalanga
Category:South African expatriate rugby union players in Japan