Erik le Roux
{{short description|South African rugby union player}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox rugby union biography
| name = Erik le Roux
| image =
| fullname = Hendrik Frederik le Roux
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1988|02|24}}
| birth_place = Bloemfontein, South Africa
| height = {{height|m=1.90}}
| weight = {{convert|96|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on}}
| nickname =
| occupation =
| school = Grey College, Bloemfontein
| university = University of the Free State
| relatives =
| position = Flanker / Number Eight
| currentclub =
| youthyears1 = 2005–2008
| youthclubs1 = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}
| youthyears2 = 2009
| youthclubs2 = {{Rut|Griquas}}
| years1 = 2011
| clubs1 = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}
| apps1 = 1
| points1 = 0
| years2 = 2011–2017
| clubs2 = {{Rut|Griffons}}
| apps2 = 51
| points2 = 20
| amatyears1 = 2010–2013
| amatteam1 = {{Rut|UFS Shimlas}}
| amatapps1 = 14
| amatpoints1 = 10
| clubupdate = 30 July 2015
}}
Hendrik Frederik "Erik" le Roux (born 24 February 1988) is a South African professional rugby union player who last played for the {{Rut|Griffons}}.{{SA Rugby Player Profile | id=37893 | name=Erik le Roux | date=29 May 2016}} His regular position is flanker or eighth man.
Career
=Youth and Varsity Cup rugby=
Le Roux played high school rugby at Grey College in Bloemfontein and represented his provincial side, Free State, at several youth tournaments. In 2005, he played for their Under-18 side at the Academy Week tournament and the following year at the Under-18 Craven Week tournament. He was a member of the {{Rut|Free State U19}} side that played in the 2007 Under-19 Provincial Championship and of the {{Rut|Free State U21}} side that played in the Under-21 Provincial Championship in 2008. In 2009, he moved to Kimberley-based side {{Rut|Griquas}}, where he played for their Under-21 side in the 2009 Under-21 Provincial Championship.
He also played Varsity Cup rugby for the Bloemfontein-based university side {{Rut|UFS Shimlas}} for four seasons from 2010 to 2013, making fourteen appearances and scoring two tries in 2013. He was also named their Varsity Cup Forward of the Year in 2013.{{cite web|url=http://152.111.11.6/argief/berigte/volksblad/2013/11/06/19/jtwenners_29_0_265100595.html |title=Shimlas groet Le Roux; Ixias vereer Sisita |work=Volksblad |date=6 November 2013 |access-date=12 June 2014 |language=Afrikaans |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415211411/http://152.111.11.6/argief/berigte/volksblad/2013/11/06/19/jtwenners_29_0_265100595.html |archive-date=15 April 2015 }}
=Free State Cheetahs=
He made his first class debut in 2011. He was included in the {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}} squad for the 2011 Vodacom Cup competition and started their match against the {{Rut|Griffons}}, helping them to a 38–24 victory.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=20038 | homeid=8461 | awayid=8468 | leagueid=802 | hometeam=Toyota Free State Cheetahs | homescore=38 | awayscore=24 | awayteam=Tasol Solar Griffons | matchdate=9 April 2011 | date=5 July 2016}}
=Griffons=
While that turned out to be his only match for the Free State Cheetahs' senior side, he did join their opponents in that match, Welkom-based {{Rut|Griffons}} prior to the 2011 Currie Cup First Division season. He made his first appearance in the Currie Cup competition in their match against the {{Rut|Falcons}} in Kempton Park{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=20197 | homeid=8551 | awayid=8552 | leagueid=810 | hometeam=Valke | homescore=38 | awayscore=27 | awayteam=Tasol Solar Griffons | matchdate=16 July 2011 | date=5 July 2016}} and made a total of five appearances in the competition, all off the bench. Four more appearances – all as a replacement – followed in the 2012 Vodacom Cup, before playing in ten matches during the 2012 Currie Cup First Division competition. This season saw Le Roux starting his first match for the {{Rut|Griffons}} (in their 67–34 loss to the {{Rut|Pumas}}){{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=105251 | homeid=11801 | awayid=11741 | leagueid=1241 | hometeam=Griffons | homescore=34 | awayscore=67 | awayteam=Ford Pumas | matchdate=11 August 2012 | date=5 July 2016}} and score his first senior try, in their match against the {{Rut|Border Bulldogs}}.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=105401 | homeid=11751 | awayid=11801 | leagueid=1241 | hometeam=Border Bulldogs | homescore=33 | awayscore=53 | awayteam=Griffons | matchdate=31 August 2012 | date=5 July 2016}}
He was a key member of their 2014 Currie Cup First Division-winning side. He played off the bench in the final and helped the Griffons win the match 23–21{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=133384 | homeid=23034 | awayid=23054 | leagueid=2154 | hometeam=Down Touch Griffons | homescore=23 | awayscore=21 | awayteam=Valke | matchdate=17 October 2014 | date=5 July 2016}} to win their first trophy for six years.{{cite web | url=http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/CurrieCup/Griffons-win-First-Division-title-20141017 | title=Currie Cup Griffons win First Division title | publisher=Sport24 | date=17 October 2014 | access-date=21 October 2014}}