Sergeal Petersen

{{Infobox rugby biography

| name = Sergeal Petersen

| image = Sergeal Petersen 2023.jpg

| fullname = Sergeal Phillipe Petersen

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1994|08|01}}

| birth_place = Humansdorp, South Africa

| height = {{height|m=1.71}}

| weight = {{cvt|84|kg|lb stlb}}

| nickname =

| occupation =

| school = Grey High School

| university =

| relatives =

| position = Wing

| currentclub = {{Rut|Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks}}

| youthyears1 = 2007–2014

| youthclubs1 = {{Rut|Eastern Province Kings}}

| years1 = 2013

| clubs1 = {{Rut|Southern Kings}}

| apps1 = 8

| points1 = 20

| years2 = 2013–2014

| clubs2 = {{Rut|Eastern Province Kings}}

| apps2 = 5

| points2 = 5

| years3 = 2015–2017

| clubs3 = {{Rut|Cheetahs}}

| apps3 = 35

| points3 = 75

| years4 = 2015

| clubs4 = {{Rut|Free State XV}}

| apps4 = 3

| points4 = 15

| years5 = 2015–2017

| clubs5 = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}

| apps5 = 16

| points5 = 65

| years6 = 2018–2022

| clubs6 = {{Rut|Western Province}}

| apps6 = 37

| points6 = 65

| years7 = 2019–2022

| clubs7 = {{Rut|Stormers}}

| apps7 = 29

| points7 = 30

| years8 = 2022–

| clubs8 = {{Rut|Shimizu Koto Blue Sharks}}

| apps8 =

| points8 =

| repyears1 = 2012

| repteam1 = South Africa Schools

| repcaps1 = 3

| reppoints1 = 15

| repyears2 = 2014

| repteam2 = South Africa Under-20

| repcaps2 = 5

| reppoints2 = 15

| repyears3 = 2016

| repteam3 = South Africa 'A'

| repcaps3 = 1

| reppoints3 = 10

| repyears4 = 2016

| repteam4 = Springbok XV

| repcaps4 = 1

| reppoints4 = 5

| clubupdate = 16 September 2022

| repupdate = 22 April 2018

}}

Sergeal Phillipe Petersen (born 1 August 1994) is a South African rugby union player for the {{Rut|Stormers}} in Super Rugby and {{Rut|Western Province}} in the Currie Cup.{{SA Rugby Player Profile | id=43123 | name=Sergeal Petersen | date=2 June 2016}} His regular position is winger.

Rugby

=Youth rugby=

Petersen played for the {{Rut|Eastern Province Kings}} at all youth levels, representing them at the 2007 Under-13 Craven Week, the 2010 Under-16 Grant Khomo Week (scoring three tries in three games) and in the 2012 Under-18 Craven Week (scoring four tries in three games). His performances in the latter tournament earned him inclusion in the South African Schools team that played against France,{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=113231 | homeid=14841 | awayid=14871 | leagueid=1441 | hometeam=South Africa | homescore=17 | awayscore=7 | awayteam=France | matchdate=10 August 2012 | date=6 December 2016}} Wales{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=113251 | homeid=14841 | awayid=14861 | leagueid=1441 | hometeam=South Africa | homescore=24 | awayscore=16 | awayteam=Wales | matchdate=14 August 2012 | date=6 December 2016}} and England{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=113271 | homeid=14841 | awayid=14851 | leagueid=1441 | hometeam=South Africa | homescore=36 | awayscore=29 | awayteam=England | matchdate=18 August 2012 | date=6 December 2016}} in August 2012. Petersen scored a try in each of those matches to ensure that the South African remained unbeaten in the series.

Petersen was included in the squad for the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship,{{SA Rugby Article | id=1898404 | leagueid=1344 | title=Steenkamp leads powerful SA U20 JWC squad | date=25 April 2013 | access-date=6 June 2016 | url=http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?id=1898404&fullview=true | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160607185428/http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?id=1898404&fullview=true | url-status=dead | archive-date=7 June 2016}} but failed to recover from a hamstring injury in time and was replaced by Jesse Kriel. He got a second opportunity the following year when he was included in the South Africa Under-20 side for the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship held in New Zealand.{{SA Rugby Article | id=2411934 | leagueid=2034 | title=Junior Springboks named for JWC 2014 | date=22 April 2014 | access-date=6 June 2016 | url=http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?id=2411934&fullview=true | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160607185606/http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?id=2411934&fullview=true | url-status=dead | archive-date=7 June 2016}} He opened his scoring in that competition just half an hour into the opening match against Scotland, helping his side to a 61–5 victory.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=124594 | homeid=20804 | awayid=20814 | leagueid=2034 | hometeam=South Africa | homescore=61 | awayscore=5 | awayteam=Scotland | matchdate=2 June 2014 | date=6 December 2016}} He started their second match of the competition, where South Africa beat the hosts and four-time winners New Zealand 33–24,{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=124664 | homeid=20824 | awayid=20804 | leagueid=2034 | hometeam=New Zealand | homescore=24 | awayscore=33 | awayteam=South Africa | matchdate=6 June 2014 | date=6 December 2016}} and scored a try in the final minute of their last match of the pool stages to secure a 21–8 victory over Samoa.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=124714 | homeid=20834 | awayid=20804 | leagueid=2034 | hometeam=Samoa | homescore=8 | awayscore=21 | awayteam=South Africa | matchdate=10 June 2014 | date=6 December 2016}} Petersen contributed largely to South Africa once again beating New Zealand in the semi-final of the competition, this time winning 32–25{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=124784 | homeid=20804 | awayid=20824 | leagueid=2034 | hometeam=South Africa | homescore=32 | awayscore=25 | awayteam=New Zealand | matchdate=15 June 2014 | date=6 December 2016}} and he started his fifth consecutive match of the competition in the final against England; however, this time he finished on the losing side, with England winning the match 21–20 to be crowned champions for the second consecutive year.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=124844 | homeid=20744 | awayid=20804 | leagueid=2034 | hometeam=England | homescore=21 | awayscore=20 | awayteam=South Africa | matchdate=20 June 2014 | date=6 December 2016}}

=Eastern Province Kings / Southern Kings=

After finishing school at the end of 2012, Petersen signed a three-year contract with the Kings despite interest from several other teams.{{cite web | url=http://www.hssm.co.za/interviews/rugby/eastern-cape/2012/sergeal-petersen-why-i-signed-ep-kings | title=Sergeal Petersen: Why I signed for the EP Kings | publisher=High School Sports Magazine | date=18 October 2012 | access-date=22 November 2012 | author=Luke, Sazi | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121128235549/http://www.hssm.co.za/interviews/rugby/eastern-cape/2012/sergeal-petersen-why-i-signed-ep-kings | archive-date=28 November 2012 | df=dmy-all }}{{cite web | url=http://www.sportlive.co.za/rugby/morerugby/2013/08/06/sergeal-is-still-a-prince-at-kings | title=Sergeal is still a prince at Kings | work=Sport Live | date=6 August 2013 | access-date=6 August 2013 | author=Byron, George}} A few months later – and without any first class matches under his belt – he was named in the {{Rut|Southern Kings}} squad for the 2013 Super Rugby season. He made his first class debut in the Southern Kings' first ever Super Rugby game against the {{Rut|Force}} on 23 February 2013. He also scored the Kings' first ever try in Super Rugby...as well as their second during the second half, earning him a Man of the Match award.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=113661 | homeid=15231 | awayid=15111 | leagueid=1491 | hometeam=Southern Kings | homescore=22 | awayscore=10 | awayteam=Force | matchdate=23 February 2013 | date=6 December 2016}} He started a total of eight matches for the Kings during the season, scoring further tries in their matches against the {{Rut|Chiefs}}{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=113821 | homeid=15231 | awayid=15151 | leagueid=1491 | hometeam=Southern Kings | homescore=24 | awayscore=35 | awayteam=Chiefs | matchdate=15 March 2013 | date=6 December 2016}} and a consolation try in their 72–10 defeat to the {{Rut|Waratahs}}.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=114301 | homeid=15231 | awayid=15201 | leagueid=1491 | hometeam=Southern Kings | homescore=10 | awayscore=72 | awayteam=Waratahs | matchdate=4 May 2013 | date=6 December 2016}}

Petersen only made his debut for provincial side the {{Rut|Eastern Province Kings}} after eight Super Rugby appearances, coming on as a substitute in their 37–21 2013 Currie Cup First Division victory over the {{Rut|Griffons}} in Welkom.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=106404 | homeid=12704 | awayid=12684 | leagueid=1304 | hometeam=Down Touch Griffons | homescore=21 | awayscore=37 | awayteam=Eastern Province Kings | matchdate=6 July 2013 | date=6 December 2016}} A further two appearances followed that season, as well as one for the {{Rut|Eastern Province U21}} side during the 2013 Under-21 Provincial Championship. He also helped out the {{Rut|Eastern Province U19}} side during their title run-in in the 2013 Under-19 Provincial Championship series. He scored two tries try for them in their 45–30 semi-final win over {{Rut|Boland U19}}, a further one in the final against the {{Rut|Falcons U19}} in a 56–40 win and scored yet another one in their promotion play-off match against {{Rut|Border U19}}, winning 27–20 to help the team win promotion to Group A.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=114944 | homeid=16354 | awayid=16364 | leagueid=1604 | hometeam=Border | homescore=20 | awayscore=27 | awayteam=EP Kings | matchdate=19 October 2013 | date=6 December 2016}}

In 2014, Petersen made two appearances for the Eastern Province Kings during the 2014 Vodacom Cup competition and scored a try in their match against the {{Rut|Sharks XV}}.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=118904 | homeid=17584 | awayid=17554 | leagueid=1734 | hometeam=Cell C Sharks XV | homescore=11 | awayscore=27 | awayteam=Eastern Province Kings | matchdate=25 April 2014 | date=6 December 2016}} Upon his return from international duty at the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship, he was included in their squad for the 2014 Currie Cup Premier Division season. He was not involved in any matches for the first team at all, instead representing the {{Rut|Eastern Province U21}} side in the 2014 Under-21 Provincial Championship. He scored seven tries in seven appearances as the side won the Under-21 competition for the third consecutive season and also scored two tries in their promotion play-off match against {{Rut|Border U21}} to help them secure promotion to Group A for 2015.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=138704 | homeid=23904 | awayid=23914 | leagueid=2264 | hometeam=Border U21 | homescore=9 | awayscore=64 | awayteam=EP Kings U21 | matchdate=24 October 2014 | date=6 December 2016}}

=Cheetahs=

In July 2014, it was widely reported that Petersen signed a contract to play for the {{Rut|Cheetahs}} during the 2015 Super Rugby season, while still being available for the {{Rut|Eastern Province Kings}} during the 2015 Currie Cup Premier Division.{{cite web | url=http://www.supersport.com/rugby/super-rugby/news/140707/Cheetahs_sign_Sergeal | title=Cheetahs sign Sergeal | publisher=SuperSport | date=7 July 2014 | access-date=7 July 2014}}{{cite web | url=http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_9374915,00.html | title=Petersen heading to Cheetahs | publisher=Planet Rugby | date=7 July 2014 | access-date=8 July 2014 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140710031501/http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_9374915,00.html | archive-date=10 July 2014 | df=dmy-all }} However, Kings CEO Charl Crous said that, while they would assist their players in gaining Super Rugby experience, no deal was in place with the Cheetahs for a Petersen loan for 2015.{{cite web | url=http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Super15/Kings-deny-Petersens-loan-20140708 | title=Kings deny Petersen's loan | publisher=Sport24 | date=8 July 2014 | access-date=8 July 2014}} It was then revealed that Petersen signed a three-year contract with the {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}} for 2015–17{{cite web | url=http://www.volksblad.com/sport/2014-07-18-sergeal-word-nou-ware-cheetah | title=Sergeal word nou ware Cheetah | publisher=Volksblad | date=18 July 2014 | access-date=18 July 2014 | language=af}} and he was included in the {{Rut|Cheetahs}}' wider training group prior to the 2015 Super Rugby season.{{cite web | url=http://blog.fscheetahs.co.za/2014/10/14/toyota-cheetah-bulletin-34/ | title=Naka kies dié 59 spelers in sy vergrote Super-groep | publisher=Cheetahs | date=14 October 2014 | access-date=14 October 2014 | language=af | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017195113/http://blog.fscheetahs.co.za/2014/10/14/toyota-cheetah-bulletin-34/ | archive-date=17 October 2014 | df=dmy-all }}

=Sevens=

In October 2013, Petersen was called into a South Africa Sevens training squad prior to the 2013 Dubai Sevens.{{cite web | url=https://www.rugby15.co.za/kings-players-called-up-to-the-blitzbok-training-squad/ | title=Kings players called up to the Blitzbok training squad | publisher=Rugby15 | date=25 October 2013 | access-date=25 October 2013 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029201648/http://www.rugby15.co.za/2013/10/kings-players-called-up-to-the-blitzbok-training-squad/ | archive-date=29 October 2013 | df=dmy-all }}

=South Africa 'A'=

In 2016, Petersen was included in a South Africa 'A' squad that played a two-match series against a touring England Saxons team.{{SA Rugby Article | id=3548614 | leagueid=3024 | title=Ackermann to coach SA ‘A’ against Saxons | date=28 May 2016 | access-date=31 May 2016 | url=http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?id=3548614&leagueid=3024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160531065757/http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?id=3548614&leagueid=3024 | url-status=dead | archive-date=31 May 2016}} He didn't play in their first match in Bloemfontein,{{SA Rugby Article | id=3563654 | leagueid=3024 | title=Youth and experience for SA ‘A’ opener against Saxons | date=8 June 2016 | access-date=10 June 2016 | url=http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?id=3563654&leagueid=3024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610203333/http://www.sarugby.co.za/article.aspx?id=3563654&leagueid=3024 | url-status=dead | archive-date=10 June 2016}} but started the second match of the series, scoring two tries in a 26–29 defeat in George.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=164784 | homeid=33504 | awayid=33494 | leagueid=3024 | hometeam=South Africa "A" | homescore=26 | awayscore=29 | awayteam=England Saxons | matchdate=17 June 2016 | date=19 June 2016}}

Athletics

Petersen also excelled in athletics, representing South Africa at the 2011 World Youth Championships in Athletics in the 100m and long jump events{{cite web | work=iaaf.org | url=http://www.iaaf.org/athletes/biographies/country=RSA/athcode=263160/index.html | title=Athletes – Sergeal Petersen | access-date=10 August 2012}} and at the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games in 100m and 100m relay.{{cite web | url=http://cyg2011results.com/Competitor.aspx?RegID=20293 | title=Commonwealth Youth Games - Isle of Man 2011 / Competitors / Sergeal Phillipe Peterson | publisher=Commonwealth Youth Games | access-date=9 April 2015}}