Michael van Vuuren
{{short description|South African rugby union player}}
{{Distinguish|Michael van Vuren}}
{{for|the South African cricketer|Michael van Vuuren (cricketer)}}
{{EngvarB|date=October 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox rugby union biography
| name = Michael van Vuuren
| image =
| fullname = Michael Thomas van Vuuren
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1991|09|28}}
| birth_place = East London, South Africa
| height = {{height|m=1.88}}
| weight = {{convert|115|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on}}
| nickname =
| occupation =
| school = Grey High School. Port Elizabeth
| university = University of the Free State /
UNISA
| relatives =
| position = Hooker
| currentclub =
| youthyears1 = 2009
| youthclubs1 = {{Rut|Eastern Province Kings}}
| youthyears2 = 2010–2011
| youthclubs2 = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}
| youthyears3 = 2012–2014
| youthclubs3 = Stade Français
| years1 = 2011–2012
| clubs1 = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}
| apps1 = 15
| points1 = 5
| years2 = 2012–2014
| clubs2 = Stade Français
| apps2 = 20
| points2 = 10
| years3 = 2014–2015
| clubs3 = {{Rut|Eastern Province Kings}}
| apps3 = 10
| points3 = 5
| years4 = 2015–2016
| clubs4 = Leicester Tigers
| apps4 = 3
| points4 = 0
| years5 = 2016–2019
| clubs5 = Bath
| apps5 = 21
| points5 = 0
| years6 = 2016–2017
| clubs6 = → London Scottish (loan)
| apps6 = 2
| points6 = 5
| years7 = 2019
| clubs7 = → London Irish (loan)
| apps7 = 3
| points7 = 10
| years8 = 2019–2020
| clubs8 = Northampton Saints
| apps8 = 9
| points8 = 0
| years9 = 2019
| clubs9 = → Bedford Blues (loan)
| apps9 = 1
| points9 = 0
| years10 = 2020
| clubs10 = → Ampthill (loan)
| apps10 = 4
| points10 = 5
| years11 = 2020–2021
| clubs11 = Ealing Trailfinders
| apps11 = 6
| points11 = 5
| years12 = 2021–2022
| clubs12 = Wasps
| apps12 = 11
| points12 = 15
| years13 = 2022–2023
| clubs13 = {{Rut|Lions}}
| apps13 = 6
| points13 = 0
| years14 = 2023
| clubs14 = {{Rut|Golden Lions}}
| apps14 = 5
| points14 = 15
| years15 = 2023–2024
| clubs15 = Newcastle Falcons
| apps15 = 10
| points15 = 5
| totalyears = 2011–2024
| totalapps = 126
| totalpoints = 80
| amatyears1 = 2012
| amatteam1 = {{Rut|UFS Shimlas}}
| amatapps1 = 2
| amatpoints1 = 0
| repyears1 = 2011
| repteam1 = South Africa Under-20
| repcaps1 = 5
| reppoints1 = 0
| coachyears1 = 2024-
| coachteams1 = Alnwick RFC (Head Coach)
| clubupdate = 9 April 2025
| repupdate = 10 January 2014
}}
Michael Thomas van Vuuren (born 28 September 1991) is an English qualified, South African rugby union footballer. His regular playing position is hooker.
Career
=Youth and Varsity rugby=
He was schooled at Grey High School in Port Elizabeth and matriculated in 2009. He played in the Grey first team in 2008 and 2009, alongside Siya Kolisi who is also an Old Grey. He has also played Varsity Cup rugby for {{Rut|UFS Shimlas}} in the 2012 Varsity Cup.
=Free State Cheetahs=
He represented the {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}} in the Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup in 2011 and 2012.
=Stade Français=
Van Vuuren joined French Top 14 side Stade Français ahead of the 2012–13 Top 14 season, signing a two-year deal until June 2014.{{cite web | url=http://myportelizabeth.co.za/van-vuuren-makes-the-grade-for-top-french-rugby-club/ | title=Van Vuuren makes the grade for top French rugby club | work=Weekend Post | date=3 May 2012 | accessdate=20 November 2013}}
He made his debut for Stade Francais in the French Top 14 as a replacement against Biarritz on 4 May 2013.{{cite web | url=http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/rugby/top-14/2012-2013/biarritz-stade-francais-530153.html | title=Biarritz v Stade Français | publisher=Yahoo! Sport / EuroSport | date=4 May 2013 | accessdate=20 November 2013}}
=Eastern Province Kings=
Van Vuuren returned to South Africa to join Port Elizabeth-based side {{Rut|Eastern Province Kings}} prior to the 2014 Currie Cup Premier Division.{{cite web | url=http://www.beeld.com/sport/2014-03-11-kings-troef-bath-om-vuurvreter | title=Kings troef Bath om vuurvreter | work=Media24 | date=11 March 2014 | accessdate=11 March 2014 | language=Afrikaans}} He was named on the bench for the Eastern Province Kings' Round Three match against the {{Rut|Blue Bulls}} in Pretoria.{{cite web | url=http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/CurrieCup/Spencer-rings-the-changes-20140820 | title=Spencer rings the changes | publisher=Sport24 | date=20 August 2014 | accessdate=20 August 2014}} He had an eventful debut for the EP Kings as he came off the bench shortly after half-time, was sent to the sin bin within ten minutes of coming on and scored a try just after his return to the field.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=119694 | homeid=18094 | awayid=18114 | leagueid=1784 | hometeam=Vodacom Blue Bulls | homescore=30 | awayscore=25 | awayteam=Eastern Province Kings | matchdate=23 August 2014 | date=21 September 2016}}
Van Vuuren left the Eastern Province Kings in December; financial problems and non-payment of salaries at the Eastern Province Rugby Union resulted in all players being given the option to terminate their contracts{{cite web | url=http://www.rugby365.com/tournaments/super-rugby/69935-kings-facing-player-exodus | title=Kings facing player exodus? | work=Rugby365 | date=11 November 2015 | accessdate=11 November 2015}} and Van Vuuren exercised this option, announcing that he would leave the side and seek legal advice regarding the unpaid salaries.{{cite web | url=http://www.rugby365.com/tournaments/super-rugby/70327 | title=Kings : new contract shocker | work=Rugby365 | date=8 December 2015 | accessdate=8 December 2015}}
=Leicester Tigers=
Shortly after leaving the Eastern Province Kings, Van Vuuren joined Leicester Tigers for a month-long trial period,{{cite web | url=http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Cockerill-confirms-Leicester-Tigers-hooker-Leo/story-28436413-detail/story.html | title=Cockerill confirms that Leicester Tigers hooker Leo Ghiraldini will leave for Toulouse | work=Leicester Mercury | date=29 December 2015 | accessdate=30 December 2015}} and represented Leicester Tigers A in the Aviva A League.{{cite web | url=http://www.leicestertigers.com/news/23928.php | title=Team news: Aviva 'A' League tonight | work=Leicester Tigers | date=21 December 2015 | accessdate=22 December 2015}} Van Vuuren extended his stay at Welford Road until mid-March 2016{{cite web | url=http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/Leicester-Tigers-INJURY-NEWS-Hooker-Bateman/story-28616410-detail/story.html | title=Leicester Tigers NEWS: Tom Youngs banned as Greg Bateman returns from injury for Gloucester | work=Leicester Mercury | date=27 January 2016 | accessdate=11 February 2016}} and made his debut for the Leicester Tigers in the English Premiership in a 47–20 home win against London Irish on 28 February 2016.
=Bath=
Van Vuuren joined Bath prior to the 2016–17 English Premiership season.{{cite press release | url=http://www.bathrugby.com/news/hooker-van-vuuren-to-join-bath-rugby | title=Hooker van Vuuren to join Bath Rugby | publisher=Bath Rugby | date=4 May 2016 | accessdate=4 May 2016 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504112726/http://www.bathrugby.com/news/hooker-van-vuuren-to-join-bath-rugby | archivedate=4 May 2016}} Van Vuuren made his debut for the club against Section Paloise on 15 October 2016.
Van Vuuren played 4 games and 104 minutes in the 2017/2018 season for Bath Rugby {{cite web | url=https://www.bathrugby.com/first-team/michael-van-vuuren| title= Micheal van Vuuren This season| publisher=Bath Rugby | date=10 June 2018 }}
=London Scottish=
Van Vuuren joined London Scottish on loan for a single match in the 2016–17 RFU Championship, and again joined the team on loan in September 2017.{{cite press release | url=https://www.bathrugby.com/team-news/van-vuuren-joins-london-scottish-on-loan | title=van Vuuren joins London Scottish on loan | publisher=Bath Rugby | date=15 September 2017 | accessdate=16 September 2017 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170916011358/https://www.bathrugby.com/team-news/van-vuuren-joins-london-scottish-on-loan | archivedate=16 September 2017 | url-status=live | df=dmy-all}}
=Northampton Saints=
Van Vuuren joined Northampton Saints ahead of the 2019/20 season.{{cite press release | url=https://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/news/saints-sign-hooker-michael-van-vuuren | title=Saints sign hooker Michael van Vuuren | publisher=Northampton Saints | date=19 July 2019 | accessdate=19 July 2019 | df=dmy-all}}
=Ealing Trailfinders=
He joined RFU Championship side Ealing Trailfinders ahead of the 2020–21 season.{{cite news|url=https://www.northamptonsaints.co.uk/news/van-vuuren-and-trinder-to-leave-northampton-saints-this-summer|work=Northampton Saints|title=Van Vuuren and Trinder to leave Northampton Saints this summer|date=5 June 2020}}
=Representative rugby=
References
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
External links
- {{SA Rugby Player Profile | id=49537 | name=Michael van Vuuren (rugby player born 1991) | date=1 June 2016}}
- {{cite web | url=http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/player_22578.html | title=It's Rugby profile | publisher=It's Rugby | accessdate=20 November 2013}}
- {{cite web | url=http://www.stade.fr/club/effectifs-pro/40-michael-van-vuuren | title=Stade Français profile | publisher=Stade Français | accessdate=12 March 2014 | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312151715/http://www.stade.fr/club/effectifs-pro/40-michael-van-vuuren | archivedate=12 March 2014}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Van Vuuren, Michael}}
Category:Alumni of Grey High School
Category:Free State Cheetahs players
Category:Leicester Tigers players
Category:Rugby union players from East London, South Africa
Category:South Africa Under-20 international rugby union players
Category:South African rugby union players
Category:Stade Français Paris players
Category:Eastern Province Elephants players
Category:London Scottish F.C. players
Category:Northampton Saints players
Category:Bedford Blues players
Category:Ampthill RUFC players
Category:Ealing Trailfinders Rugby Club players
Category:Lions (United Rugby Championship) players
Category:Newcastle Falcons players
Category:South African expatriate rugby union players in France