JP Eloff

JP Eloff
Full nameJean-Pierre Eloff
Date of birth (1991-05-28) 28 May 1991 (age 33)
Place of birthPretoria, South Africa
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight86 kg (190 lb; 13 st 8 lb)
UniversityDavenport University
Notable relative(s)Philip Eloff (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Full Back
Current team Chicago Hounds
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2016 Ohio Aviators 4 (20)
2018-2022 New Orleans Gold 23 (200)
2022- Chicago Hounds ()
Correct as of 28 December 2020
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2016–2018 USA Selects 9 (19)
2016–2017 United States 10 (24)
Correct as of 28 December 2020

Jean-Pierre "JP" Eloff (born 28 May 1991) is an American rugby union player who plays Fullback for the Chicago Hounds in Major League Rugby (MLR) and also for the United States national rugby union team.

Eloff played college rugby at Davenport University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He led the Davenport Panthers to a D1-AA title in his freshman year,[1] and was named as the 2011 college player of the year.[2] and was chosen as an All-American for the 2011 National All-Star Championships.[3]

Professional career

Eloff debuted with the U.S. national team at the 2016 Americas Rugby Championship.[4]

Eloff signed with the Ohio Aviators in the newly formed PRO Rugby competition in early 2016.[5] In October 2017, JP Eloff signed with New Orleans Gold for the inaugural season of Major League Rugby.[6]

In September 2018, Eloff was selected for the USA Selects roster for the 2018 Americas Pacific Challenge.[7]

JP Eloff is the younger brother of Philip Eloff, who also played for the U.S. national team at the 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cups.

References

  1. ^ "Davenport rugby player JP Eloff featured in Sports Illustrated's 'Faces in the Crowd'", MLive.com, Brian Van Ochten, December 8, 2011.
  2. ^ "2011 RUGBYMag Awards!", Rugby Today, Alex Goff, January 1, 2012.
  3. ^ "All Americans Named for NASC 7s", Rugby Today, Alex Goff, August 26, 2011.
  4. ^ "PRO Rugby Preview – Ohio", Americas Rugby News, April 12, 2016.
  5. ^ "PRO Rugby Preview – Ohio", Americas Rugby News, April 12, 2016.
  6. ^ "New Orleans Gold sign JP Eloff". 31 October 2017.
  7. ^ "USA Selects named for Americas Pacific Challenge". Americas Rugby News. 13 September 2018. Retrieved 20 September 2018.