From the rugged pitches of South Africa to the star-spangled fields of the USA, Marno Redelinghuys has made quite the leap. Having dazzled rugby fans in his homeland, the former Stormer has now taken his talents to the Eagles, making his Test debut this July. At 32, Redelinghuys, a versatile player who can lock down both the lock and back row positions, proudly donned the USA jersey against international teams like Belgium, Spain, and England, marking a significant milestone in his adopted country on residency grounds.
Speaking from Houston, where he currently scrums down with the Major League Rugby's SaberCats, Redelinghuys couldn't hide his excitement.
"It's incredible,"
he gushed."First of all, I have to thank [head coach] Scott Lawrence for giving me the opportunity. It’s not just any guy who gets a chance like that – I’m really privileged."
He described his international outings as fun and emphasized the importance of sticking to the basics.Redelinghuys' journey through rugby began in his birthplace of Klerksdorp, where he initially showcased his skills in the Varsity Cup for NWU and later for Maties. He etched his name into Varsity Cup folklore by scoring the decisive try for NWU in their 2016 victory over Maties and celebrated another win with Maties in 2018. His professional path took him through stints with the Leopards and Western Province and included a brief appearance in Super Rugby for the Stormers in 2019.
Despite his achievements, Redelinghuys always harbored dreams of playing for the Springboks, but life had other plans.
"It was always my dream to represent the Springboks,"
he admitted. However, upon moving to the U.S. in 2019, those aspirations shifted."But when I arrived in America in 2019, my long-term goal was to play for the USA. I’m very proud of America – it’s my new home. It’s a great honour to be able to play for them."
Now firmly entrenched in his new homeland and rugby culture, Redelinghuys looks set to soar as an Eagle, continuing to make an impact on and off the field. His story is a testament to the global nature of rugby and the unexpected journeys it can present.