{{Short description|South African rugby union player}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Use South African English|date=June 2013}} {{Infobox rugby union biography | name = Ethienne Reynecke | image = | fullname = Ethienne Reynecke | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|03|20|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Johannesburg]], [[South Africa]] | height = {{height|m=1.79}} | weight = {{convert|102|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on}} | nickname = | occupation = | school = Hugenote High School, [[Springs, Gauteng|Springs]] | university = [[Rand Afrikaans University]] | relatives = | position = [[Hooker (rugby union)|Hooker]] | currentclub = [[retired]] | youthyears1 = 2000–2002 | youthclubs1 = {{Rut|Golden Lions}} | years1 = 2003–2004 | clubs1 = {{Rut|Golden Lions}} | apps1 = 1 | points1 = 0 | years2 = 2005 | clubs2 = {{Rut|Griffons}} | apps2 = 17 | points2 = 10 | years3 = 2003–2009 | clubs3 = {{Rut|Golden Lions}} | apps3 = 53 | points3 = 15 | years4 = 2006–2009 | clubs4 = {{Rut|Cats}} / {{Rut|Lions}} | apps4 = 35 | points4 = 10 | years5 = 2009–2011 | clubs5 = [[Saracens F.C.]] | apps5 = 25 | points5 = 0 | years6 = 2011 | clubs6 = → {{Rut|Western Province}} | apps6 = 2 | points6 = 0 | years7 = 2011 | clubs7 = → {{Rut|Stormers}} | apps7 = 2 | points7 = 0 | years8 = 2011–2013 | clubs8 = [[Connacht Rugby|Connacht]] | apps8 = 44 | points8 = 15 | years9 = 2013 | clubs9 = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}} | apps9 = 4 | points9 = 0 | years10 = 2013–2014 | clubs10 = [[Section Paloise|Pau]] | apps10 = 9 | points10 = 0 | clubupdate = 8 April 2014 | repupdate = }}
'''Ethienne Reynecke''' (born 20 March 1982) is a South African [[rugby union]] player.<ref name="SARU Player Profile Ethienne Reynecke">{{SA Rugby Player Profile | id=21779 | name=Ethienne Reynecke | date=29 May 2016}}</ref> His primary position is hooker.
==Career==
===Lions=== He started his career playing for the {{Rut|Golden Lions}} and represented them at Under–19, Under–21 and [[Reserve team|'A' team]] level. At the end of 2001, after his second year representing the Under–19 team, he was included in the pre-season training squad for the [[2002 Vodacom Cup]], following it up with appearances in the [[2003 Vodacom Cup|2003]] and [[2004 Vodacom Cup|2004]] seasons. He was also part of the [[Currie Cup]] training squad in [[2004 Currie Cup Premier Division|2004]], playing all the warm-up games.
===Griffons=== In 2005, he joined [[Welkom]]-based side {{Rut|Griffons}} for one year, being involved in their [[Vodacom Cup]] and [[Currie Cup]] campaigns.
===Return to Lions=== He returned to the Golden Lions at the end of 2005. He was included in the {{Rut|Cats}} squad prior to the [[2006 Super 14 season]]<ref name="Super 14 warm up Cats vs Vodacom Bulls">{{cite web | url=http://www.hsmimages.co.za/image/cats-ethienne-reynecke-vodacom-bulls-neil/12834/1 | title=Super 14 warm up Cats vs Vodacom Bulls | publisher=HSMImages | date=14 January 2006 | accessdate=23 April 2014 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://archive.today/20140423145608/http://www.hsmimages.co.za/image/cats-ethienne-reynecke-vodacom-bulls-neil/12834/1 | archivedate=23 April 2014 }}</ref> before getting injured. He subsequently made three appearances in the [[2006 Vodacom Cup]] side before breaking into [[Currie Cup]] side for the first time, making his Currie Cup debut for the Golden Lions in their match against {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}}.<ref name="The Sharks 33-22 Lions">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=13360 | homeid=5911 | awayid=5912 | leagueid=414 | hometeam=The Sharks | homescore=33 | awayscore=22 | awayteam=Lions | matchdate=23 June 2006 | date=5 July 2016}}</ref> and playing in all fourteen matches that season.
In 2007, he was also included in the {{Rut|Lions}} squad for the [[2007 Super 14 season]] and made his [[Super Rugby]] debut in their second match of the season in an 11–6 victory over [[New Zealand]] team the {{Rut|Highlanders}},<ref name="Lions 11-6 Highlanders">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=13856 | homeid=6052 | awayid=6059 | leagueid=571 | hometeam=Lions | homescore=11 | awayscore=6 | awayteam=Highlanders | matchdate=10 February 2007 | date=5 July 2016}}</ref> and remained a first team regular over the next two seasons. He was also included in a Springbok training squad in 2007.<ref name="Gallo Images – TL_669991.jpg">{{cite web | url=http://www.galloimages.co.za/image/linde-ethienne-reynecke-wian-preez-springboks/467209/1 | title=Gallo Images – TL_669991.jpg | work=Gallo Images | date=15 November 2007 | accessdate=21 July 2013}}</ref>
He wasn't included in the {{Rut|Lions}} squad for [[2009 Super 14 season|2009 Super 14]],<ref name="SA Rugby Squad – Auto & General Lions : 2009 Vodacom Super 14">{{SA Rugby Squad | teamid=7367 | team=Auto & General Lions | compid=716 | comp=2009 Vodacom Super 14 | accessdate=3 June 2016}}</ref> and captained the Vodacom Cup team in the [[2009 Vodacom Cup]] season instead.
===Saracens=== In 2009, it was announced that he had joined [[English Premiership (rugby union)|English Premiership]] side [[Saracens F.C.|Saracens]],<ref name="Ethienne Reynecke on his way to Saracens">{{cite web | url=http://www.supersport.com/rugby/article.aspx?Id=298851 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130721003513/http://www.supersport.com/rugby/article.aspx?Id=298851 | url-status=dead | archive-date=21 July 2013 | title=Ethienne Reynecke on his way to Saracens | work=SuperSport | date=6 May 2009 | accessdate=21 July 2013 }}</ref> where he played for two seasons.
===Stormers=== Shortly before his Saracens contract was due to end, he joined the {{Rut|Stormers}} on loan for part of the [[2011 Super Rugby season]] as a replacement for injured [[Tiaan Liebenberg]].<ref name="Saracens hooker at Stormers">{{cite web | url=http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Super15/Saracens-hooker-at-Stormers-20110307 | title=Saracens hooker at Stormers | work=Sport24 | date=27 March 2013 | accessdate=21 July 2013}}</ref> He made two substitute appearances for them, as well as two appearances for their [[Vodacom Cup]] side {{Rut|Western Province}} in the [[2011 Vodacom Cup]].
===Connacht=== He then joined Irish [[Pro14|Pro12]] side [[Connacht Rugby|Connacht]] on a two-year deal for the [[2011–12 Pro 12|2011–12 season]],<ref name="Reynecke signs for Connacht">{{cite web | url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/rabo-direct-pro-12/2011/0331/278326-connacht_reyneckee/ | title=Reynecke signs for Connacht |publisher=RTÉ | date=31 March 2011 | accessdate=21 July 2013}}</ref> making 44 appearances in the [[Heineken Cup]] and Pro 12 competitions.
===Free State Cheetahs=== In July 2013, {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}} head coach [[Naka Drotské]] confirmed that he had officially signed a contract to join the {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}} for the [[2013 Currie Cup Premier Division]] season,<ref name="Reynecke word 'n Cheetah">{{cite web | url=http://www.suparugby.com/pages/Default.asp?More=Reynecke%20word%20%E2%80%99n%20Cheetah%20-%2020%20Junie%202013&FeatureID=21039&SectionID=22 | title=Reynecke word 'n Cheetah | work=SupaRugby | date=20 June 2013 | accessdate=20 June 2013 | language=Afrikaans}}</ref><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 | work=Beeld | date=7 July 2013 | accessdate=20 July 2013 | language=Afrikaans | archive-date=16 July 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130716030442/http://www.beeld.com/sport/2013-07-07-willie-bly-n-cheetah | url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Heyneke sal Lappies, Siya in Kaap dophou">{{cite web | url=http://www.dieburger.com/sport/2013-06-25-heyneke-sal-lappies-siya-in-kaap-dophou | title=Heyneke sal Lappies, Siya in Kaap dophou | work=Die Burger | date=25 June 2013 | accessdate=20 July 2013 | language=Afrikaans | archive-date=3 July 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703025546/http://www.dieburger.com/sport/2013-06-25-heyneke-sal-lappies-siya-in-kaap-dophou | url-status=dead }}</ref> making five appearances.
===Pau=== He returned to Europe a few months later, joining French [[Pro D2]] side [[Section Paloise|Pau]] as a medical joker during the [[2013–14 Rugby Pro D2 season]].<ref name="Section Paloise : Reynecke en renfort">{{cite web | url=http://www.sudouest.fr/2013/10/11/reynecke-en-renfort-1196043-773.php | title=Section Paloise : Reynecke en renfort | publisher=Sud Ouest | date=11 October 2013 | accessdate=15 October 2013 | language=French}}</ref>
===Other=== In addition, Reynecke also played for a World XV against an Asia-Pacific Barbarians side in the 2011 Chartis Cup in [[Hong Kong]] in aid of the [[2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami]] disaster. He also played for the [[South African Barbarians]] in 2013 against former side Saracens in 2013.<ref name="Saracens v South African Barbarians">{{cite web | url=http://www.saracens.com/saracens-v-south-african-barbarians/ | title=Saracens v South African Barbarians | work=Saracens | date=16 June 2013 | accessdate=9 August 2013}}</ref>
After pro rugby, Reynecke turned his focus to MMA and trained at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, FL.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Former rugby pro Ethienne Reynecke works out at WWE PC|url=https://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/article/south-african-rugby-player-ethienne-reynecke-wwe-workout|access-date=2021-09-07|website=WWE|language=en}}</ref>
In 2018 Reynecke suffered a series of near-death experiences, namely an ischemic stroke, leaving him with the permanent disability Aphasia. Fortunately, he recovered and in 2020 became the South Africa IMMAF light-heavyweight champion.<ref>{{Cite web|title=From 3 near-death experiences to South African MMA champion in 26 months: The fall and rise of Ethienne Reynecke|url=https://www.rugbypass.com/news/the-fall-and-rise-of-ethienne-reynecke-from-3-near-death-experiences-to-south-african-mma-champion-in-26-months/|access-date=2021-09-07|website=rugbypass.com|language=en}}</ref>
Reynecke is now a stroke ambassador, raising awareness and supporting survivors.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-10-24|title=Why you NEED to teach your family about stroke symptoms|url=https://www.all4women.co.za/1872875/health-and-wellness/why-you-need-to-teach-your-family-about-stroke-symptoms|access-date=2021-09-07|website=All4Women|language=en-ZA}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" |- ! MMA record |- | 5-0 |}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Reynecke, Ethienne}} [[Category:1982 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:South African rugby union players]] [[Category:Griffons (rugby union) players]] [[Category:Lions (United Rugby Championship) players]] [[Category:Saracens F.C. players]] [[Category:Stormers players]] [[Category:Connacht Rugby players]] [[Category:Cheetahs (rugby union) players]] [[Category:Rugby union hookers]] [[Category:Afrikaner people]] [[Category:Rugby union players from Johannesburg]] [[Category:Section Paloise players]] [[Category:South African expatriate rugby union players in France]] [[Category:21st-century South African sportsmen]] [[Category:South African expatriate rugby union players in England]] [[Category:Rand Afrikaans University alumni]]