Japie Nel
{{short description|South African rugby union player}}
{{EngvarB|date=August 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2014}}
{{Infobox rugby union biography
| name = Japie Nel
| image =
| fullname =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1982|11|20}}
| birth_place = Welkom, South Africa
| height = {{height|m=1.85}}
| weight = {{convert|117|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on}}
| nickname =
| occupation =
| school = Goudveld High School, Welkom
| university =
| relatives =
| position = Centre
| currentclub =
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 =
| years1 = 2005–2007
| clubs1 = {{Rut|Griffons}}
| apps1 = 35
| points1 = 45
| years2 = 2008–2010
| clubs2 = {{Rut|Leopards}}
| apps2 = 35
| points2 = 20
| years3 = 2011–2016
| clubs3 = {{Rut|Griffons}}
| apps3 = 91
| points3 = 190
| years4 = 2018
| clubs4 = {{Rut|Griffons}}
| apps4 = 3
| points4 = 15
| amatyears1 = 2004–2007
| amatteam1 = Welkom Rovers
| amatapps1 =
| amatpoints1 =
| clubupdate = 27 October 2018
}}
Japie Nel (born 20 November 1982 in Welkom, South Africa) is a South African rugby union player who last played for the {{Rut|Griffons}} in the Currie Cup.{{SA Rugby Player Profile | id=38292 | name=Japie Nel | date=29 May 2016}} His regular position is centre.
Nel made in excess of one hundred career appearances. The majority of those appearances came for his hometown side, the {{Rut|Griffons}}.
Career
=Griffons=
Nel played club rugby for Welkom Rovers in 2004 and 2005. In 2005, he was one of a number of club players included in a {{Rut|Griffons}} side that played against the {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}} in a pre-season match.{{cite web|url=http://152.111.11.6/argief/berigte/volksblad/2005/06/08/VB/18/12.html |title=Dié Griffons kry dalk nog plek in CB-groep |publisher=Volksblad |date=8 June 2005 |access-date=12 May 2014 |language=af |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512232132/http://152.111.11.6/argief/berigte/volksblad/2005/06/08/VB/18/12.html |archive-date=12 May 2014 }} This led to his inclusion in their squad for the 2005 Currie Cup competition and he made his first class debut for them in a qualifying round match against {{Rut|Griquas}}.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=11564 | homeid=5141 | awayid=5142 | leagueid=380 | hometeam=Wildeklawer Griquas | homescore=54 | awayscore=12 | awayteam=Griffons | matchdate=24 June 2005 | date=22 July 2016}} He scored seven tries in the 2007 Currie Cup First Division season,{{SA Rugby Try Scorers | id=589 | comp=2007 ABSA Currie Cup First Div | date=5 May 2016}} including a hat-trick in their match against the {{Rut|Mighty Elephants}},{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=14358 | homeid=6299 | awayid=6300 | leagueid=589 | hometeam=Griffons | homescore=50 | awayscore=29 | awayteam=BA Mighty Elephants | matchdate=30 June 2007 | date=22 July 2016}} with Griffons coach, Harry Pienaar, calling Nel "devastating".{{cite web|url=http://152.111.11.6/argief/berigte/volksblad/2007/07/02/VB/18/jdjharry.html |title=Afrigter besing senter se kragspel |publisher=Volksblad |date=2 July 2007 |access-date=12 May 2014 |language=af |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513010633/http://152.111.11.6/argief/berigte/volksblad/2007/07/02/VB/18/jdjharry.html |archive-date=13 May 2014 }} He was also named the Griffons Back of the Year for 2007.{{cite web|url=http://152.111.11.6/argief/berigte/volksblad/2007/11/07/GF/16/fogriff.html |title=Griffons vereer jaar se topspelers |publisher=Volksblad |date=7 November 2007 |access-date=12 May 2014 |language=af |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513010909/http://152.111.11.6/argief/berigte/volksblad/2007/11/07/GF/16/fogriff.html |archive-date=13 May 2014 }}
=Leopards=
He joined Potchefstroom-based side the {{Rut|Leopards}} for three seasons between 2008 and 2010.{{cite web|url=http://152.111.11.6/argief/berigte/volksblad/2007/11/06/VB/19/hnluipers.html |title=Twee Griffons gaan vir Luiperds speel |publisher=Volksblad |date=6 November 2007 |access-date=12 May 2014 |language=af |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140513010631/http://152.111.11.6/argief/berigte/volksblad/2007/11/06/VB/19/hnluipers.html |archive-date=13 May 2014 }} Nel played in all the {{Rut|Leopards}} matches during the 2008 Currie Cup First Division season, but missed the final, which the Leopards lost to his former side the {{Rut|Griffons}}.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=15794 | homeid=6884 | awayid=6882 | leagueid=633 | hometeam=Profert Platinum Leopards | homescore=26 | awayscore=31 | awayteam=Griffons | matchdate=10 October 2008 | date=22 July 2016}} However the {{Rut|Leopards}} bounced back to win the two-legged promotion/relegation matches, with Nel playing in one of the matches against the {{Rut|Falcons}}{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=16700 | homeid=7196 | awayid=7197 | leagueid=670 | hometeam=Valke | homescore=24 | awayscore=29 | awayteam=Platinum Leopards | matchdate=17 October 2008 | date=22 July 2016}} to earn the Leopards a spot in the Premier Division for 2009. Nel only made four appearances during that competition, but remained a regular in their Vodacom Cup side.
=Return to Griffons=
He returned to Welkom in 2011 to rejoin the {{Rut|Griffons}},{{cite web|url=http://152.111.11.6/argief/berigte/volksblad/2011/01/27/VI/56/viSPgriffons.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140512170138/http://152.111.11.6/argief/berigte/volksblad/2011/01/27/VI/56/viSPgriffons.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 May 2014 |title=Span spog met talent |publisher=Volksblad |date=27 January 2011 |access-date=12 May 2014 |language=af }} resuming where he left off by performing to such an extent that he was once again named the Griffons Back of the Year after the 2011 Currie Cup First Division season.{{cite web|url=http://152.111.11.6/argief/berigte/volksblad/2011/11/29/VB/19/jtwilla.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140512170117/http://152.111.11.6/argief/berigte/volksblad/2011/11/29/VB/19/jtwilla.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 May 2014 |title=Britz as Griffons se beste speler aangewys |publisher=Volksblad |date=29 November 2011 |access-date=12 May 2014 |language=af }}
In total, Nel played in excess of fifty matches for them during his second spell, averaging about one try every two matches.
He was also a key member of their 2014 Currie Cup First Division-winning side. He played 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=22 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}}
References
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nel, Japie}}
Category:Griffons (rugby union) players
Category:Leopards (rugby union) players
Category:Rugby union players from Welkom