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{{Short description|South African rugby union player}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
{{EngvarB|date=August 2013}}
| name = Willie le Roux
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}}
| image =
{{Infobox rugby union biography
| caption =
| birth_name = Willem Jacobus le Roux
| name = Willie le Roux
| image = Willie le Roux 2015 RWC.jpg
| nickname =
| image_size = 250px
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1989|8|18}}
| birth_place = [[Stellenbosch]], [[South Africa]]
| caption = le Roux playing for the [[South Africa national rugby union team|Springboks]] in 2015
| fullname = Willem Jacobus le Roux
| height = {{height|m=1.86}}
| weight = {{convert|90|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|08|18|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Stellenbosch]], South Africa
| ru_position = [[Rugby_union_positions#10._Fly-half|Fly-half / Full-back / Wing]]
| height = {{height|m=1.86}}
| ru_clubyears =
| weight = {{convert|90|kg|lb stlb|0|abbr=on}}
| ru_clubupdate =
| school = [[Paul Roos Gymnasium]]
| ru_proclubs =
| position = [[Fullback (rugby union)|Fullback / Wing / Fly-Half]]
| ru_clubcaps =
| currentclub = [[Bulls (rugby union)|Bulls]]
| ru_clubpoints =
| ru_currentclub =
| youthyears1 = 2007
| youthclubs1 = {{Rut|Western Province}}
| super14 = [[Central Cheetahs|Cheetahs]]
| youthyears2 = 2008-2009
| super14years =2012-present
| youthclubs2 = {{Rut|Boland Cavaliers}}
| super14caps = 6
| years1 = 2010–2011
| super14points = (15)
| clubs1 = {{Rut|Boland Cavaliers}}
| super14currentclub =
| apps1 = 39
| super14update = 05 April 2012
| points1 = 87
| ru_province = [[Boland Cavaliers]]<br/>[[Griquas (rugby)|Griquas]]
| years2 = 2012–2015
| ru_provinceyears = 2010-2011 <br/> 2012-present
| clubs2 = {{Rut|Cheetahs}}
| ru_provincecaps = 36 <br/> 0
| apps2 = 58
| ru_provincepoints = (191) <br/> 0
| points2 = 90
| ru_provinceupdate = 05 April 2012
| years3 = 2012–2013
| ru_nationalyears =
| clubs3 = {{Rut|Griquas}}
| ru_nationalteam =
| ru_nationalcaps =
| apps3 = 11
| ru_nationalpoints =
| points3 = 5
| years4 = 2015–2017
| ru_ntupdate =
| clubs4 = [[Yokohama Canon Eagles|Canon Eagles]]
| other = yes
| apps4 = 18
| spouse =
| children =
| points4 = 35
| years5 = 2016
| relatives =
| clubs5 = {{Rut|Sharks}}
| school = [[Paul Roos Gymnasium]]
| university =
| apps5 = 13
| points5 = 15
| years6 = 2017–2019
| clubs6 = [[Wasps RFC|Wasps]]
| apps6 = 57
| points6 = 65
| years7 = 2019–2023
| clubs7 = [[Toyota Verblitz]]
| apps7 = 61
| points7 = 67
| years8 = 2023–
| repteam1 = {{nrut|South Africa}}
| repcaps1 = 98
| reppoints1 = 75
| repyears3 = 2014–2015
| repteam3 = Springbok XV{{efn|In 2014 and 2015, the South African national team played non-test internationals against a [[World XV]] in Cape Town.<ref name="SARU Player Profile Willie le Roux"/><ref name="South African Rugby Annual 2015">{{cite book | title=South African Rugby Annual 2015 | publisher=South African Rugby Union | year=2015 | pages=104 | isbn=978-0-620-62087-1}}</ref><ref name="South African Rugby Annual 2016">{{cite book | title=South African Rugby Annual 2016 | publisher=South African Rugby Union | year=2016 | pages=124–125 | isbn=978-0-620-69290-8}}</ref>}}
| repcaps3 = 2
| reppoints3 = 20
| clubupdate = 12 October 2024
| repupdate = 10 November 2024
| clubs8 = [[Bulls (rugby union)|Bulls]]
| apps8 =19
| points8 = 20
| repyears1 = 2013–
| medals =
{{MedalSport|Men's [[Rugby union]]}}
{{MedalCountry|{{ru|RSA}}}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Rugby World Cup]]}}
{{MedalBronze|[[2015 Rugby World Cup|2015 England]]|[[2015 Rugby World Cup squads|Squad]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[2019 Rugby World Cup|2019 Japan]]|[[2019 Rugby World Cup squads|Squad]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[2023 Rugby World Cup|2023 France]]|[[2023 Rugby World Cup squads|Squad]]}}
}}
}}
'''Willem Jacobus le Roux''' (born 18 August 1989) is a South African professional [[rugby union]] player. He is a versatile back-line player who generally plays as a [[Fullback (rugby union)|fullback]] or [[Wing (rugby union)|wing]], though earlier in his career he played mostly as a [[fly-half (rugby union)|fly-half]]. He plays for the [[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa national team]] and for the [[Blue Bulls]] in the [[United Rugby Championship]]. He was born in Stellenbosch. He is known for his vision, try assisting and ability under the high ball. He is widely regarded{{Whom|date=December 2024}} as one of the best fullbacks of his generation.
'''Wille le Roux''' (born {{birth date|df=yes|1989|8|18}}) is a South African [[rugby union]] footballer. He can play in several positions in the backline such as [[Rugby_union_positions#10._Fly-half|Fly-half]], [[Rugby_union_positions#11._Wing|Wing]] and [[Rugby_union_positions#105._Full-back|Full-back]]. He represents the [[Central Cheetahs|Cheetahs]] in [[Super Rugby]] and [[Griquas (rugby)|Griquas]] in the [[Currie Cup]]. He previously played for the [[Boland Cavaliers]].


== External links ==
==Club career==
Le Roux was born and raised in the [[Western Cape]] and he started his professional career with {{Rut|Boland Cavaliers}}. He spent 2 years with the Cavaliers, helping them to lift the 2011 Currie Cup First Division title in his final appearance.<ref name="Boland beat Kings to win Currie Cup first division">{{cite web | url=http://www.superxv.com/32474/5/boland-beat-kings-to-win-currie-cup-first-division#.UfkfttKnBb0 | title=Boland beat Kings to win Currie Cup first division | work=Super XV.com | date = 14 October 2011 | access-date=31 July 2013}}</ref><ref name="Regent Boland Cavaliers 43-12 Eastern Province Kings">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=102581 | homeid=8554 | awayid=8549 | leagueid=810 | hometeam=Regent Boland Cavaliers | homescore=43 | awayscore=12 | awayteam=Eastern Province Kings | matchdate=14 October 2011 | date=3 June 2016}}</ref> He moved north to join the {{Rut|Griquas}} along with several of his Boland team-mates in 2012 and started 9 of the Peacock Blues 10 games during his [[2012 Currie Cup Premier Division|debut season]] in [[Kimberley, Northern Cape|Kimberley]]. After a rocky start in which he was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle on {{Rut|Blue Bulls}} full-back [[Jurgen Visser]] and subsequently suspended for Griquas second match of the season<ref name="Griquas without suspended Le Roux">{{cite web | url=http://za.news.yahoo.com/griquas-without-suspended-le-roux-135023115.html | title=Griquas without suspended Le Roux | work=Yahoo SA | date = 15 August 2013 | access-date=31 July 2013}}</ref> Le Roux established himself as one of the top players in South African domestic rugby.<ref name="Talented Le Roux has Province very worried">{{cite web | url=http://www.iol.co.za/the-star/talented-le-roux-has-province-very-worried-1.1387920#.UfkjDtKnBb0 | title=Talented Le Roux has Province very worried | work=IOL | date = 21 September 2012 | access-date=31 July 2013}}</ref>
*[http://www.sarugby.net/playerprofile.aspx?id=43641 SA rugby profile]
*[http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/player_18969.html itsrugby.co.uk profile]


Upon moving to the {{Rut|Griquas}} in 2012, Le Roux was instantly called up to the {{Rut|Cheetahs}} [[Super Rugby]] squad.<ref name="Cheetahs name 2012 Super Rugby squad">{{cite web | url=http://www.rugbyweek.com/news/article.asp?id=33822 | title=Cheetahs name 2012 Super Rugby squad | work=Rugby Week | date = 14 February 2012 | access-date=31 July 2013}}</ref> He made his debut in Week 1 of the [[2012 Super Rugby season]] as a half-time substitute for [[Dusty Noble]] as the Cheetahs lost 25–27 to the {{Rut|Lions}} in [[Johannesburg]].<ref name="MTN Lions 27-25 Toyota Cheetahs">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=100081 | homeid=10281 | awayid=10291 | leagueid=1041 | hometeam=MTN Lions | homescore=27 | awayscore=25 | awayteam=Toyota Cheetahs | matchdate=25 February 2012 | date=3 June 2016}}</ref> Despite this early setback Le Roux went on to have an excellent first season
{{Cheetahs squad}}
in Super Rugby, playing mostly on the wing he scored 7 tries in 16 appearances.<ref name="Willie le Roux itsrugby.co.uk Player Statistics">{{cite web | url=http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/player_18969.html | title=Willie le Roux itsrugby.co.uk Player Statistics | work=itsrugby.co.uk | access-date=31 July 2013}}</ref> His second season proved even more successful as he helped the Cheetahs reach the play-offs with a further 6 tries in 17 matches.<ref name="Willie le Roux itsrugby.co.uk Player Statistics"/>


In July 2013, it was announced that Le Roux had signed a new contract with the {{Rut|Cheetahs}} until the end of 2015, which also meant that he would play for the {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}} domestically from 2014 onwards.<ref name="Willie bly 'n Cheetah">{{cite web | url=http://www.beeld.com/sport/2013-07-07-willie-bly-n-cheetah | title=Willie bly 'n Cheetah | publisher=Media24 | work=Beeld | date=7 July 2013 | access-date=7 July 2013 | language=af}}</ref>
{{DEFAULTSORT:le Roux, Willie}}

He left the Cheetahs after the [[2015 Super Rugby season]] to spend some time playing in Japan with [[Canon Eagles]]<ref name="キヤノンイーグルス2015-2016入団選手（追加）のお知らせ">{{cite press release | url=http://www.canon-eagles.jp/news/info/20150603.html | title=キヤノンイーグルス2015-2016入団選手（追加）のお知らせ | publisher=Canon Eagles | date=3 June 2015 | access-date=3 June 2015 | language=ja}}</ref> before joining the {{Rut|Sharks}} for [[2016 Super Rugby season|2016]].<ref name="Willie le Roux Joins the Cell C Sharks">{{cite press release | url=http://www.sharksrugby.co.za/index.php/component/articles/?view=article&id=2842738 | title=Willie le Roux Joins the Cell C Sharks | publisher=Sharks | date=2 June 2015 | access-date=2 June 2015}}</ref>

In August 2016, [[English Premiership (rugby union)|English Premiership]] side [[Wasps RFC|Wasps]] announced Le Roux would join them in January 2017 after finishing his commitments with the [[Canon Eagles]].<ref name="Wasps sign Springbok Willie Le Roux">{{cite press release | url=http://www.wasps.co.uk/news/article/2016/08/04/wasps-sign-springbok-willie-le-roux | title=Wasps sign Springbok Willie Le Roux | publisher=Wasps | date=4 August 2016 | access-date=4 August 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804102250/http://www.wasps.co.uk/news/article/2016/08/04/wasps-sign-springbok-willie-le-roux | archive-date=4 August 2016}}</ref> He left Wasps in 2019 having played 46 games and scoring 50 points.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/southafrica/rugby/player/159900.html|title=Willem Jacobus le Roux|website=ESPN scrum|access-date=2019-11-12}}</ref>

On 5 May 2019 Le Roux returned to Japan to sign for [[Toyota Verblitz]] in the [[Top League]] from the 2019–20 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/springbok-willie-le-roux-signs-with-japanese-club-sealing-wasps-exit/|publisher=Rugby Pass|title=Springbok Willie le Roux signs with Japanese club sealing Wasps exit|date=5 May 2019|access-date=30 August 2019}}</ref>

On July 4, 2023, Le Roux returned to South Africa to join the [[Blue Bulls]], where he began playing after the Springboks world cup campaign. He made his debut on the 25 November 2023 against [[Connacht Rugby|Connacht]] in the [[United Rugby Championship]] where he scored one try in there 53-27 win.

==International career==
Le Roux was selected to represent the [[South African national rugby union team|Springboks]] for the first time during the [[2013 mid-year rugby union tests#South African Quadrangular tournament|South African Quadrangular tournament of 2013]] against {{nrut|Italy}}, {{nrut|Scotland}} and {{nrut|Samoa}}.<ref name="New faces in Springbok squad">{{cite web | url=http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Springboks/Six-newcomers-in-Bok-squad-20130601-2 | title=New faces in Springbok squad | work=Sport 24 | date = 1 June 2013 | access-date=22 July 2013}}</ref> He played the full 80 minutes of all three test matches against these teams with distinction, hardly faltering any time at full-back, and contributed to the try-making by joining the Springbok backline in sprints for the opponents' tryline.<ref name="South Africa rout Samoa for glory">{{cite web | url=http://www.espn.co.uk/southafrica/rugby/story/187019.html | title=South Africa rout Samoa for glory | work=ESPN Scrum | date = 22 June 2013| access-date=31 July 2013}}</ref><ref name="SARU Player Profile Willie le Roux">{{SA Rugby Player Profile | id=43641 | name=Willie le Roux | date=4 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="South Africa 44-10 Italy">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=102664 | homeid=11404 | awayid=11394 | leagueid=1144 | hometeam=South Africa | homescore=44 | awayscore=10 | awayteam=Italy | matchdate=8 June 2013 | date=3 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="South Africa 30-17 Scotland">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=102694 | homeid=11404 | awayid=11334 | leagueid=1144 | hometeam=South Africa | homescore=30 | awayscore=17 | awayteam=Scotland | matchdate=15 June 2013 | date=3 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="South Africa 56-23 Samoa">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=102714 | homeid=11404 | awayid=11344 | leagueid=1144 | hometeam=South Africa | homescore=56 | awayscore=23 | awayteam=Samoa | matchdate=22 June 2013 | date=3 June 2016}}</ref>

He also played an integral part in South Africa's [[2013 Rugby Championship]] campaign, featuring in all six matches. He scored tries in both home and away tests against {{nrut|Australia}} and in the deciding game at home to {{nrut|New Zealand}}.<ref name="Australia 12-38 South Africa">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=103874 | homeid=11434 | awayid=11414 | leagueid=1154 | hometeam=Australia | homescore=12 | awayscore=38 | awayteam=South Africa | matchdate=7 September 2013 | date=3 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="South Africa 28-8 Australia">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=102734 | homeid=11414 | awayid=11434 | leagueid=1154 | hometeam=South Africa | homescore=28 | awayscore=8 | awayteam=Australia | matchdate=28 September 2013 | date=3 June 2016}}</ref><ref name="South Africa 27-38 New Zealand">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=102744 | homeid=11414 | awayid=11444 | leagueid=1154 | hometeam=South Africa | homescore=27 | awayscore=38 | awayteam=New Zealand | matchdate=5 October 2013 | date=3 June 2016}}</ref>

Le Roux started the [[2013 end-of-year rugby union tests|2013 end-of-year tests]] on the bench for the match against {{nrut|Wales}}, however an injury to starting [[Fly-half (rugby union)|fly-half]] [[Morne Steyn]] saw him enter to the fray as an early substitute in the [[Fullback (rugby union)|full-back]] position.<ref name="Wales 15-24 South Africa">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=103894 | homeid=11954 | awayid=11974 | leagueid=1184 | hometeam=Wales | homescore=15 | awayscore=24 | awayteam=South Africa | matchdate=9 November 2013 | date=3 June 2016}}</ref> It was a position he was to retain for the remaining two tour matches. He turned in a particularly impressive display in the 28-0 destruction of {{nrut|Scotland}} scoring one intercept try and setting up another immediately from the restart for team-mate [[JP Pietersen]].<ref name="Outclassed Scotland come up well short">{{cite web | url=http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/story/206347.html | title=Outclassed Scotland come up well short | work=ESPN Scrum | date = 17 November 2013 | access-date=25 November 2013}}</ref>

On 14 June 2014, Le Roux produced a man-of-the-match performance to help {{nrut|South Africa}} beat {{nrut|Wales}} during the [[2014 mid-year rugby union internationals|2014 incoming tours]], scoring a try and providing three assists.<ref name="South Africa 38-16 Wales">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=116544 | homeid=16964 | awayid=16974 | leagueid=1674 | hometeam=South Africa | homescore=38 | awayscore=16 | awayteam=Wales | matchdate=14 June 2014 | date=3 June 2016}}</ref>

In 2014, he was one of five nominees for the [[IRB Player of the Year]] award.<ref name="World Rugby Player of the Year nominees named">{{cite press release | url=http://www.irb.com/history/awards/newsid=2073428.html#world+rugby+player+year+nominees+named | title=World Rugby Player of the Year nominees named | publisher=IRB | date=12 November 2014 | access-date=12 November 2014}}</ref>

Le Roux was named in South Africa's squad for the [[2019 Rugby World Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/international/rugby-world-cup-2019-south-africa-squad-full-list-schedule-latest-players-confirmed-a9079626.html |title=South Africa World Cup squad: Siya Kolisi wins fitness battle, Eben Etzebeth backed, Aphiwe Dyantyi dropped |date=26 August 2019 |work=The Independent|access-date=3 November 2019}}</ref> South Africa went on to win the tournament, defeating [[England national rugby union team|England]] in the final.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/50273291 |title=England 12-32 South Africa: Springboks win World Cup for record-equalling third time |date=2 November 2019 |publisher=BBC |access-date=3 November 2019}}</ref>

Le Roux was named in South Africa’s 33 man squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. South Africa went on to win the tournament, defeating New Zealand in the final. He is one of 43 players who have [[List of winners of multiple Rugby World Cups|won the Rugby World Cup on multiple occasions]], 25 of whom are South Africans.

==Springbok statistics==

=== Test Match record ===
{{updated|27 November 2022}}
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%; width:75%;"
|-
! style="width:25%;" | Against
! abbr="Played" style="width:15px;" | P
! abbr="Won" style="width:10px;" | W
! abbr="Drawn" style="width:10px;" | D
! abbr="Lost" style="width:10px;" | L
! abbr="Tries" style="width:15px;" | Tri
! abbr="Points" style="width:18px;" | Pts
! abbr="Won" style="width:18px;" | %Won
|- bgcolor="#d0ffd0" align="center"
|-
| align="left" | {{ru|ARG}} || 12 || 10 || 0 || 2 || 1 || 5 || {{#expr:10/12*100 round 2}}
|-
| align="left" | {{ru|AUS}} || 14 || 8 || 0 || 6 || 4 || 20 || {{#expr:8/14*100 round 2}}
|-
| align="left" | {{noflag|[[British and Irish Lions]]}} || 3 || 2 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || {{#expr:2/3*100 round 2}}
|-
| align="left" | {{ru|ENG}} || 6 || 4 || 0 || 2 || 2 || 10 || {{#expr:4/6*100 round 2}}
|-
| align="left" | {{ru|FRA}} || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || {{#expr:2/2*100 round 2}}
|-
| align="left" | {{ru|GEO}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || {{#expr:1/1*100 round 2}}
|-
| align="left" | {{ru|IRE}} || 4 || 2 || 0 || 2 || 0 || 0 || {{#expr:2/4*100 round 2}}
|-
| align="left" | {{ru|ITA}} || 5 || 4 || 0 || 1 || 0 || 0 || {{#expr:4/5*100 round 2}}
|-
| align="left" | {{ru|JPN}} || 2 || 2 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || {{#expr:2/2*100 round 2}}
|-
| align="left" | {{ru|NZL}} || 17 || 4 || 1 || 12 || 4 || 20 || {{#expr:4/17*100 round 2}}
|-
| align="left" | {{ru|SAM}} || 3 || 3 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || {{#expr:3/3*100 round 2}}
|-
| align="left" | {{ru|SCO}} || 6 || 6 || 0 || 0 || 2 || 10 || {{#expr:6/6*100 round 2}}
|-
| align="left" | {{ru|USA}} || 1 || 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0 || {{#expr:1/1*100 round 2}}
|-
| align="left" | {{ru|WAL}} || 7 || 5 || 0 || 2 || 2 || 10 || {{#expr:5/7*100 round 2}}
|-
! Total || 83 || 54 || 1 || 28 || 14 || 70 || {{#expr:54/83*100 round 2}}
|}
<small>Pld = Games Played, W = Games Won, D = Games Drawn, L = Games Lost, Tri = Tries Scored, Con = Conversions, Pen = Penalties, DG = Drop Goals, Pts = Points Scored</small>

=== International Tries ===

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:95%"
|-
! Try !! Opposing team !! Location !! Venue !! Competition !! Date !! Result
!Score
|-
| 1 || {{ru|AUS}} || [[Brisbane, Australia]] || [[Lang Park|Suncorp Stadium]] || [[2013 Rugby Championship|Rugby Championship]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2013|September|7}} || Won
|12 – '''38'''
|-
| 2 || {{ru|AUS}} || [[Cape Town, South Africa]] || [[Newlands Stadium|Newlands]] || [[2013 Rugby Championship|Rugby Championship]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2013|September|28}} || Won
|'''28''' – 8
|-
| 3 || {{ru|NZL}} || [[Johannesburg, South Africa]] || [[Ellis Park Stadium|Ellis Park]] || [[2013 Rugby Championship|Rugby Championship]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2013|October|5}} || Lost
|'''27''' – 38
|-
| 4 || {{ru|SCO}} || [[Edinburgh, Scotland]] || [[Murrayfield Stadium|Murrayfield]] || [[2013 end-of-year rugby union tests|End-of-year rugby test series]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2013|November|17}} || Won
|0 – '''28'''
|-
| 5 || {{ru|WAL}} || [[Durban, South Africa]] || [[Kings Park Stadium|Kings Park]] || [[2014 mid-year rugby union internationals|Mid-year rugby test series]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2014|June|14}} || Won
|'''38''' – 16
|-
| 6 || {{ru|WAL}} || [[Nelspruit]], [[South Africa]] || [[Mbombela Stadium]] || [[2014 mid-year rugby union internationals|Mid-year rugby test series]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2014|June|21}} || Won
|'''31''' – 30
|-
| 7 || {{ru|SCO}} || [[Port Elizabeth]], [[South Africa]] || [[Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium]] || [[2014 mid-year rugby union internationals|Mid-year rugby test series]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2014|June|28}} || Won
|'''55''' – 6
|-
| 8 || {{ru|NZL}} || [[Johannesburg, South Africa]] || [[Ellis Park Stadium|Ellis Park]] || [[2015 Rugby Championship|Rugby Championship]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2015|July|25}} || Lost
|'''20''' – 27
|-
| 9 || {{ru|ARG}} || [[Durban, South Africa]] || [[Kings Park Stadium|Kings Park]] || [[2015 Rugby Championship|Rugby Championship]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2015|August|8}} || Lost
|'''25''' – 37
|-
| 10 || {{ru|ENG}} || [[London]], [[England]] || [[Twickenham Stadium|Twickenham]] || [[2016 end-of-year rugby union internationals|End-of-year rugby test series]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2016|November|12}} || Lost
|37 – '''21'''
|-
| 11 || {{ru|ENG}} || [[Johannesburg, South Africa]] || [[Ellis Park Stadium|Ellis Park]] || [[2018 England rugby union tour of South Africa|Test match]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2018|June|9}} || Won
|'''42''' – 39
|-
| 12 || {{ru|NZL}} || [[Wellington]], [[New Zealand]] || [[Westpac Stadium]] || [[2018 Rugby Championship|Rugby Championship]]|| {{dts|format=dmy|2018|September|15}} || Won
|34 – '''36'''
|-
| 13 || {{ru|NZL}} || [[Mbombela]], [[South Africa]] || [[Mbombela Stadium]] || [[2022 Rugby Championship|Rugby Championship]] || {{dts|format=dmy|2022|August|07}} || Won
|'''26''' – 10
|}

==Super Rugby statistics==

{{updated| Dec 2016}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%; width:75%;"
|-
! Season !! Team !! Games !! Starts !! Sub !! Mins !! Tries !! Points !! {{yel}} !! {{sent off}}
|-
| [[2012 Super Rugby season|2012]] || {{Rut|Cheetahs}} || 16 || 15 || 1 || 1226 || 7 || 35 || 2 || 0
|-
| [[2013 Super Rugby season|2013]] || {{Rut|Cheetahs}} || 17 || 17 || 0 || 1333 || 6 || 30 || 0 || 0
|-
| [[2014 Super Rugby season|2014]] || {{Rut|Cheetahs}} || 16 || 16 || 0 || 1238 || 5 || 25 || 1 || 0
|-
| [[2015 Super Rugby season|2015]] || {{Rut|Cheetahs}} || 9 || 8 || 1 || 630 || 0 || 0 || 1 || 0
|-
| [[2016 Super Rugby season|2016]] || {{Rut|Sharks}} || 13 || 13 || 0 || 996|| 3 || 15 || 0 || 0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total || 71 || 69 || 2 || 5428|| 21 || 105 || 4 || 0
|}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.sarugby.co.za/match-centre/player-detail/?playerId=c73985fb-e3b8-4c11-8b06-3dc5bc434129&teamId=e976cfc2-f80b-4c1a-8472-838cd54f0fbc Willie le Roux] at [[South Africa national rugby union team|Springboks]]
<!-- dead link: * {{SA Rugby Profile}} -->
* {{Sports links}}

{{Bulls squad}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Squads
|list1 =
{{South Africa 2023 Rugby World Cup squad}}
{{South Africa Squad 2019 Rugby World Cup}}
{{South Africa Squad 2015 Rugby World Cup}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Le Roux, Willie}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1989 births]]
[[Category:1989 births]]
[[Category:South African rugby union players]]
[[Category:South African rugby union players]]
[[Category:Rugby union fly-halves]]
[[Category:South Africa international rugby union players]]
[[Category:Cheetahs (rugby union) players]]

[[Category:Griquas (rugby union) players]]

[[Category:Boland Cavaliers players]]
{{SouthAfrica-rugbyunion-bio-stub}}
[[Category:Rugby union wings]]
[[Category:Rugby union fullbacks]]
[[Category:Rugby union players from Stellenbosch]]
[[Category:Afrikaner people]]
[[Category:White South African people]]
[[Category:Yokohama Canon Eagles players]]
[[Category:South African expatriate sportspeople in France]]
[[Category:South African expatriate rugby union players in Japan]]
[[Category:21st-century South African sportsmen]]
[[Category:Alumni of Paul Roos Gymnasium]]
[[Category:Sharks (rugby union) players]]
[[Category:Wasps RFC players]]
[[Category:Toyota Verblitz players]]
[[Category:Bulls (rugby union) players]]
[[Category:2015 Rugby World Cup players]]
[[Category:2019 Rugby World Cup players]]
[[Category:2023 Rugby World Cup players]]
[[Category:South African expatriate rugby union players in England]]

Latest revision as of 21:56, 2 January 2025

Willie le Roux
le Roux playing for the Springboks in 2015
Full nameWillem Jacobus le Roux
Date of birth (1989-08-18) 18 August 1989 (age 35)
Place of birthStellenbosch, South Africa
Height1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight90 kg (198 lb; 14 st 2 lb)
SchoolPaul Roos Gymnasium
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback / Wing / Fly-Half
Current team Bulls
Youth career
2007 Western Province
2008-2009 Boland Cavaliers
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2010–2011 Boland Cavaliers 39 (87)
2012–2015 Cheetahs 58 (90)
2012–2013 Griquas 11 (5)
2015–2017 Canon Eagles 18 (35)
2016 Sharks 13 (15)
2017–2019 Wasps 57 (65)
2019–2023 Toyota Verblitz 61 (67)
2023– Bulls 19 (20)
Correct as of 12 October 2024
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2013– South Africa 98 (75)
2014–2015 Springbok XV[a] 2 (20)
Correct as of 10 November 2024
Medal record
Men's Rugby union
Representing  South Africa
Rugby World Cup
Bronze medal – third place 2015 England Squad
Gold medal – first place 2019 Japan Squad
Gold medal – first place 2023 France Squad

Willem Jacobus le Roux (born 18 August 1989) is a South African professional rugby union player. He is a versatile back-line player who generally plays as a fullback or wing, though earlier in his career he played mostly as a fly-half. He plays for the South Africa national team and for the Blue Bulls in the United Rugby Championship. He was born in Stellenbosch. He is known for his vision, try assisting and ability under the high ball. He is widely regarded[according to whom?] as one of the best fullbacks of his generation.

Club career

[edit]

Le Roux was born and raised in the Western Cape and he started his professional career with Boland Cavaliers. He spent 2 years with the Cavaliers, helping them to lift the 2011 Currie Cup First Division title in his final appearance.[4][5] He moved north to join the Griquas along with several of his Boland team-mates in 2012 and started 9 of the Peacock Blues 10 games during his debut season in Kimberley. After a rocky start in which he was sin-binned for a dangerous tackle on Blue Bulls full-back Jurgen Visser and subsequently suspended for Griquas second match of the season[6] Le Roux established himself as one of the top players in South African domestic rugby.[7]

Upon moving to the Griquas in 2012, Le Roux was instantly called up to the Cheetahs Super Rugby squad.[8] He made his debut in Week 1 of the 2012 Super Rugby season as a half-time substitute for Dusty Noble as the Cheetahs lost 25–27 to the Lions in Johannesburg.[9] Despite this early setback Le Roux went on to have an excellent first season in Super Rugby, playing mostly on the wing he scored 7 tries in 16 appearances.[10] His second season proved even more successful as he helped the Cheetahs reach the play-offs with a further 6 tries in 17 matches.[10]

In July 2013, it was announced that Le Roux had signed a new contract with the Cheetahs until the end of 2015, which also meant that he would play for the Free State Cheetahs domestically from 2014 onwards.[11]

He left the Cheetahs after the 2015 Super Rugby season to spend some time playing in Japan with Canon Eagles[12] before joining the Sharks for 2016.[13]

In August 2016, English Premiership side Wasps announced Le Roux would join them in January 2017 after finishing his commitments with the Canon Eagles.[14] He left Wasps in 2019 having played 46 games and scoring 50 points.[15]

On 5 May 2019 Le Roux returned to Japan to sign for Toyota Verblitz in the Top League from the 2019–20 season.[16]

On July 4, 2023, Le Roux returned to South Africa to join the Blue Bulls, where he began playing after the Springboks world cup campaign. He made his debut on the 25 November 2023 against Connacht in the United Rugby Championship where he scored one try in there 53-27 win.

International career

[edit]

Le Roux was selected to represent the Springboks for the first time during the South African Quadrangular tournament of 2013 against Italy, Scotland and Samoa.[17] He played the full 80 minutes of all three test matches against these teams with distinction, hardly faltering any time at full-back, and contributed to the try-making by joining the Springbok backline in sprints for the opponents' tryline.[18][1][19][20][21]

He also played an integral part in South Africa's 2013 Rugby Championship campaign, featuring in all six matches. He scored tries in both home and away tests against Australia and in the deciding game at home to New Zealand.[22][23][24]

Le Roux started the 2013 end-of-year tests on the bench for the match against Wales, however an injury to starting fly-half Morne Steyn saw him enter to the fray as an early substitute in the full-back position.[25] It was a position he was to retain for the remaining two tour matches. He turned in a particularly impressive display in the 28-0 destruction of Scotland scoring one intercept try and setting up another immediately from the restart for team-mate JP Pietersen.[26]

On 14 June 2014, Le Roux produced a man-of-the-match performance to help South Africa beat Wales during the 2014 incoming tours, scoring a try and providing three assists.[27]

In 2014, he was one of five nominees for the IRB Player of the Year award.[28]

Le Roux was named in South Africa's squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.[29] South Africa went on to win the tournament, defeating England in the final.[30]

Le Roux was named in South Africa’s 33 man squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup. South Africa went on to win the tournament, defeating New Zealand in the final. He is one of 43 players who have won the Rugby World Cup on multiple occasions, 25 of whom are South Africans.

Springbok statistics

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Test Match record

[edit]
As of 27 November 2022
Against P W D L Tri Pts %Won
 Argentina 12 10 0 2 1 5 83.33
 Australia 14 8 0 6 4 20 57.14
 British and Irish Lions 3 2 0 1 0 0 66.67
 England 6 4 0 2 2 10 66.67
 France 2 2 0 0 0 0 100
 Georgia 1 1 0 0 0 0 100
 Ireland 4 2 0 2 0 0 50
 Italy 5 4 0 1 0 0 80
 Japan 2 2 0 0 0 0 100
 New Zealand 17 4 1 12 4 20 23.53
 Samoa 3 3 0 0 0 0 100
 Scotland 6 6 0 0 2 10 100
 United States 1 1 0 0 0 0 100
 Wales 7 5 0 2 2 10 71.43
Total 83 54 1 28 14 70 65.06

Pld = Games Played, W = Games Won, D = Games Drawn, L = Games Lost, Tri = Tries Scored, Con = Conversions, Pen = Penalties, DG = Drop Goals, Pts = Points Scored

International Tries

[edit]
Try Opposing team Location Venue Competition Date Result Score
1  Australia Brisbane, Australia Suncorp Stadium Rugby Championship 7 September 2013 Won 12 – 38
2  Australia Cape Town, South Africa Newlands Rugby Championship 28 September 2013 Won 28 – 8
3  New Zealand Johannesburg, South Africa Ellis Park Rugby Championship 5 October 2013 Lost 27 – 38
4  Scotland Edinburgh, Scotland Murrayfield End-of-year rugby test series 17 November 2013 Won 0 – 28
5  Wales Durban, South Africa Kings Park Mid-year rugby test series 14 June 2014 Won 38 – 16
6  Wales Nelspruit, South Africa Mbombela Stadium Mid-year rugby test series 21 June 2014 Won 31 – 30
7  Scotland Port Elizabeth, South Africa Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Mid-year rugby test series 28 June 2014 Won 55 – 6
8  New Zealand Johannesburg, South Africa Ellis Park Rugby Championship 25 July 2015 Lost 20 – 27
9  Argentina Durban, South Africa Kings Park Rugby Championship 8 August 2015 Lost 25 – 37
10  England London, England Twickenham End-of-year rugby test series 12 November 2016 Lost 37 – 21
11  England Johannesburg, South Africa Ellis Park Test match 9 June 2018 Won 42 – 39
12  New Zealand Wellington, New Zealand Westpac Stadium Rugby Championship 15 September 2018 Won 34 – 36
13  New Zealand Mbombela, South Africa Mbombela Stadium Rugby Championship 7 August 2022 Won 26 – 10

Super Rugby statistics

[edit]
As of Dec 2016
Season Team Games Starts Sub Mins Tries Points Yellow card Red card
2012 Cheetahs 16 15 1 1226 7 35 2 0
2013 Cheetahs 17 17 0 1333 6 30 0 0
2014 Cheetahs 16 16 0 1238 5 25 1 0
2015 Cheetahs 9 8 1 630 0 0 1 0
2016 Sharks 13 13 0 996 3 15 0 0
Total 71 69 2 5428 21 105 4 0

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ In 2014 and 2015, the South African national team played non-test internationals against a World XV in Cape Town.[1][2][3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "SA Rugby Player Profile – Willie le Roux". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
  2. ^ South African Rugby Annual 2015. South African Rugby Union. 2015. p. 104. ISBN 978-0-620-62087-1.
  3. ^ South African Rugby Annual 2016. South African Rugby Union. 2016. pp. 124–125. ISBN 978-0-620-69290-8.
  4. ^ "Boland beat Kings to win Currie Cup first division". Super XV.com. 14 October 2011. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  5. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Regent Boland Cavaliers 43–12 Eastern Province Kings". South African Rugby Union. 14 October 2011. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  6. ^ "Griquas without suspended Le Roux". Yahoo SA. 15 August 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  7. ^ "Talented Le Roux has Province very worried". IOL. 21 September 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  8. ^ "Cheetahs name 2012 Super Rugby squad". Rugby Week. 14 February 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  9. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – MTN Lions 27–25 Toyota Cheetahs". South African Rugby Union. 25 February 2012. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  10. ^ a b "Willie le Roux itsrugby.co.uk Player Statistics". itsrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  11. ^ "Willie bly 'n Cheetah". Beeld (in Afrikaans). Media24. 7 July 2013. Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  12. ^ "キヤノンイーグルス2015-2016入団選手（追加）のお知らせ" (Press release) (in Japanese). Canon Eagles. 3 June 2015. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  13. ^ "Willie le Roux Joins the Cell C Sharks" (Press release). Sharks. 2 June 2015. Retrieved 2 June 2015.
  14. ^ "Wasps sign Springbok Willie Le Roux" (Press release). Wasps. 4 August 2016. Archived from the original on 4 August 2016. Retrieved 4 August 2016.
  15. ^ "Willem Jacobus le Roux". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
  16. ^ "Springbok Willie le Roux signs with Japanese club sealing Wasps exit". Rugby Pass. 5 May 2019. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
  17. ^ "New faces in Springbok squad". Sport 24. 1 June 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2013.
  18. ^ "South Africa rout Samoa for glory". ESPN Scrum. 22 June 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  19. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa 44–10 Italy". South African Rugby Union. 8 June 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  20. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa 30–17 Scotland". South African Rugby Union. 15 June 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  21. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa 56–23 Samoa". South African Rugby Union. 22 June 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  22. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Australia 12–38 South Africa". South African Rugby Union. 7 September 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  23. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa 28–8 Australia". South African Rugby Union. 28 September 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  24. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa 27–38 New Zealand". South African Rugby Union. 5 October 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  25. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – Wales 15–24 South Africa". South African Rugby Union. 9 November 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  26. ^ "Outclassed Scotland come up well short". ESPN Scrum. 17 November 2013. Retrieved 25 November 2013.
  27. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa 38–16 Wales". South African Rugby Union. 14 June 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  28. ^ "World Rugby Player of the Year nominees named" (Press release). IRB. 12 November 2014. Retrieved 12 November 2014.
  29. ^ "South Africa World Cup squad: Siya Kolisi wins fitness battle, Eben Etzebeth backed, Aphiwe Dyantyi dropped". The Independent. 26 August 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  30. ^ "England 12-32 South Africa: Springboks win World Cup for record-equalling third time". BBC. 2 November 2019. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
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