Pat Cilliers

{{short description|South Africa international rugby union player}}

{{Infobox rugby biography

| name = Pat Cilliers

| image = Cilliers 2015.JPG

| image_size = 200px

| fullname = Patric Michael Cilliers

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|03|03|df=y}}

| birth_place = Pietermaritzburg, South Africa

| height = {{height|m=1.86}}

| weight = {{convert|133|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on}}

| nickname =

| occupation =

| school = Michaelhouse

| university =

| relatives =

| position = Tighthead Prop

| currentclub =

| youthyears1 = 2005–2006

| youthclubs1 = {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}}

| years1 = 2007–2010

| clubs1 = {{Rut|Sharks}}

| apps1 = 3

| points1 = 0

| years2 = 2007–2010

| clubs2 = {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)|CC=y}}

| apps2 = 54

| points2 = 40

| years3 = 2011–2012

| clubs3 = {{Rut|Lions}}

| apps3 = 28

| points3 = 5

| years4 = 2011–2012

| clubs4 = {{Rut|Golden Lions}}

| apps4 = 17

| points4 = 20

| years5 = 2013–2014

| clubs5 = {{Rut|Stormers}}

| apps5 = 23

| points5 = 0

| years6 = 2013–2014

| clubs6 = {{Rut|Western Province}}

| apps6 = 23

| points6 = 5

| years7 = 2014–2016

| clubs7 = {{Rut|Montpellier}}

| apps7 = 31

| points7 = 0

| years8 = 2016–2018

| clubs8 = Leicester Tigers

| apps8 = 26

| points8 = 5

| years9 = 2018–2020

| clubs9 = London Irish

| apps9 = 16

| points9 = 0

| repyears1 = 2009

| repteam1 = Emerging Springboks

| repcaps1 = 1

| reppoints1 = 0

| repyears2 = 2012

| repteam2 = {{nrut|South Africa}}

| repcaps2 = 6

| reppoints2 = 0

| totalyears = 2007–present

| totalapps = 205

| totalpoints = 75

| clubupdate = 1 July 2020

| repupdate = 17 August 2014

}}

Patric Michael Cilliers (born 3 March 1988) is a rugby union player who won 6 caps for {{nrut|South Africa}} in 2012. He has previously played for the {{Rut|Sharks}}, {{Rut|Lions}} and {{Rut|Stormers}} in Super Rugby and has played Currie Cup rugby for the {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}}, {{Rut|Golden Lions}} and {{Rut|Western Province}}, in Europe he has played for Premiership Rugby sides Leicester Tigers and London Irish. His position is prop.

Career

=South Africa=

Born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa and educated at Michaelhouse, Cilliers began his professional career with the Sharks, but his time with the team was limited by knee injuries. He transferred with fellow Shark Michael Rhodes to the Lions at the end of the 2010 Currie Cup Premier Division season.{{cite web |url=http://www.lionsrugby.co.za/index.php/all-rugby/super-14/853-cilliers-and-rhodes-sign-with-lions |title=Cilliers and Rhodes sign with Lions |access-date=2012-01-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114210644/http://www.lionsrugby.co.za/index.php/all-rugby/super-14/853-cilliers-and-rhodes-sign-with-lions |archive-date=2010-11-14 }} Cilliers was selected in the starting line-up for the 2011 Currie Cup final against the Sharks, and scored a try in the memorable 42-1 victory.{{cite web |url=http://www.lionsrugby.co.za/index.php/all-rugby/currie-cup/news-a-results/1571-rampant-mtn-golden-lions-outplay-sharks-to-claim-currie-cup |title=Rampant MTN Golden Lions outplay Sharks to claim Currie Cup |access-date=2012-01-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206222915/http://www.lionsrugby.co.za/index.php/all-rugby/currie-cup/news-a-results/1571-rampant-mtn-golden-lions-outplay-sharks-to-claim-currie-cup |archive-date=2011-12-06 }} He also played for the Lions in the Super Rugby.{{cite web | url=http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Lions-to-confirm-mass-exodus-20121003 | title=Lions to confirm mass exodus | date=3 Oct 2012 | publisher=Sport24 | access-date=3 Oct 2012 }} During his time in Johannesburg, he was also called up to the national team, making his debut on 18 August 2012 against Argentina. He then moved to Cape Town, where he played Super Rugby for the {{Rut|Stormers}} and Currie Cup rugby for {{Rut|Western Province}} winning the 2014 Currie Cup final against his old side the Lions.

=Europe=

He then joined South African coach Jake White at French Top 14 side {{Rut|Montpellier}}, where he played from 2014 to 2016 before joining English Premiership side Leicester Tigers prior to the 2016–2017 season.{{cite web | url=http://www.netwerk24.com/Sport/Rugby/bok-droom-laat-wilco-nee-se-vir-miljoene-20160213 | title=Bok-droom laat Wilco 'nee' sê vir miljoene | work=Netwerk24 | date=14 February 2016 | access-date=15 February 2016 | language=Afrikaans}} Cilliers made his Leicester debut on 4 November 2016 against Bath in an Anglo-Welsh Cup match. After 26 appearances over two seasons Cilliers moved on to London Irish in the summer of 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/forward-pat-cilliers-moves-leicester-1773110|title=Forward Pat Cilliers moves from Leicester Tigers to London Irish|date=11 July 2018|access-date=12 July 2018|publisher=Leicester Mercury}} He was released ahead of the 2020–21 season.{{Cite web|date=2020-07-04|title=Thank you to the leavers {{!}} 4th July 2020 {{!}} News|url=https://www.london-irish.com/news/thank-you-to-the-leavers/bp2627/|access-date=2020-07-04|website=London Irish|language=en}}

References

External links

{{SA Rugby Player Profile | id=38427 | name=Pat Cilliers | date=2 June 2016}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20110227132345/http://www.lionsrugby.co.za/index.php/all-rugby/super-14/player-profiles/988-patric-cilliers Lions Profile]
[http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/joueur-8273.html It's Rugby profile]
[https://www.london-irish.com/players/pat-cilliers/s202038928/ London Irish Player Profile]

Category:1987 births

Category:Living people

Category:Afrikaner people

Category:South African expatriate rugby union players in England

Category:South African expatriate rugby union players in France

Category:21st-century South African sportsmen

Category:Golden Lions players

Category:Leicester Tigers players

Category:Lions (United Rugby Championship) players

Category:London Irish players

Category:Montpellier Hérault Rugby players

Category:Rugby union players from Pietermaritzburg