{{Short description|South African rugby union player}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}} {{Infobox rugby biography | name = Michael van der Spuy | image = | fullname = Michael George van der Spuy | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|02|20|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Bethlehem, Free State|Bethlehem]], South Africa | height = {{height|m=1.80}} | weight = {{convert|91|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on}} | occupation = | school = [[Grey College, Bloemfontein|Grey College]], [[Bloemfontein]] | university = [[University of Stellenbosch]] | position = [[Centre (rugby union)|Centre]] | currentclub = | youthyears1 = 2010–2012 | youthclubs1 = {{Rut|Western Province}} | years1 = 2011–2014 | clubs1 = {{Rut|Western Province}} | apps1 = 36 | points1 = 35 | years2 = 2014 | clubs2 = {{Rut|Stormers}} | apps2 = 4 | points2 = 0 | years3 = 2015–2017 | clubs3 = {{Rut|Cheetahs}} | apps3 = 18 | points3 = 15 | years4 = 2015 | clubs4 = {{Rut|Griquas}} | apps4 = 9 | points4 = 5 | years5 = 2016–2017 | clubs5 = {{Rut|Free State XV}} | apps5 = 6 | points5 = 13 | years6 = 2016–2017 | clubs6 = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}} | apps6 = 3 | points6 = 5 | totalyears = 2016–2017 | totalapps = 76 | totalpoints = 73 | clubupdate = 22 April 2018 }}

'''Michael George van der Spuy''' (born 20 February 1991) is a South African former [[rugby union]] player who played [[Super Rugby]] with the {{Rut|Stormers}} and the {{Rut|Cheetahs}}, and [[Currie Cup]] rugby with {{Rut|Western Province}}, {{Rut|Griquas}} and the {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}.<ref name="SARU Player Profile Michael van der Spuy">{{SA Rugby Player Profile | id=51798 | name=Michael van der Spuy | date=29 May 2016}}</ref> His regular position was centre. He retired in 2017 on medical advice.<ref name="Cheetah te gou in sy spore gestuit">{{cite news | url=http://www.netwerk24.com/Sport/Rugby/cheetah-te-gou-in-sy-spore-gestuit-20170705 | title=Cheetah te gou in sy spore gestuit | work=Netwerk24 | date=6 July 2017 | access-date=12 August 2017 | language=Afrikaans | url-access=registration}}</ref>

==Career==

===Youth===

Van der Spuy played for the {{Rut|Western Province U19}} side in the 2010 Under-19 Provincial Championship competition and for {{Rut|Western Province U21}} in the [[2011 Under-21 Provincial Championship]] and [[2012 Under-21 Provincial Championship]] competitions.

===Western Province===

Van der Spuy made his first-class debut for {{Rut|Western Province}} during the [[2011 Vodacom Cup]] competition, starting in the match against the {{Rut|Pumas}} and scoring a try within seven minutes.<ref name="DHL Western Province 27-14 Ford Pumas">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=20041 | homeid=8462 | awayid=8473 | leagueid=802 | hometeam=DHL Western Province | homescore=27 | awayscore=14 | awayteam=Ford Pumas | matchdate=9 April 2011 | date=21 September 2016}}</ref> He made one more substitute appearance in the competition, the following week against the {{Rut|Leopards}}.<ref name="Leopards 12-26 DHL Western Province">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=20048 | homeid=8469 | awayid=8462 | leagueid=802 | hometeam=Leopards | homescore=12 | awayscore=26 | awayteam=DHL Western Province | matchdate=16 April 2011 | date=21 September 2016}}</ref>

Van der Spuy's [[Currie Cup]] debut came a few months later during the [[2011 Currie Cup Premier Division]] season, when he came on as a substitute in Western Province's match against the {{Rut|Golden Lions}} in [[Johannesburg]].<ref name="MTN Golden Lions 42-25 DHL Western Province">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=20188 | homeid=8535 | awayid=8537 | leagueid=809 | hometeam=MTN Golden Lions | homescore=42 | awayscore=25 | awayteam=DHL Western Province | matchdate=8 October 2011 | date=21 September 2016}}</ref> That was his only Currie Cup appearance in 2011, reverting to the U21 squad for the remainder of the season.

The following season, he made eight appearances in the [[2012 Vodacom Cup]] competition, scoring one try. Injuries restricted his playing time in the Currie Cup season, however.<ref name="Decimated WP lose another player">{{cite web | url=http://www.rugby365.com/article/49006-decimated-wp-lose-another-player | title=Decimated WP lose another player | work=Rugby365 | date=9 August 2012 | access-date=11 September 2013}}</ref>

Another eight appearances (and three tries) followed in the [[2013 Vodacom Cup]]<ref name="SA Rugby Try Scorers – 2013 Vodacom Cup">{{SA Rugby Try Scorers | id=1164 | comp=2013 Vodacom Cup | date=5 May 2016}}</ref> and he was included in the [[2013 Currie Cup Premier Division]] squad.<ref name="SA Rugby Squad – DHL Western Province : 2013 Absa Currie Cup Premier Division">{{SA Rugby Squad | teamid=12614 | team=DHL Western Province | compid=1294 | comp=2013 Absa Currie Cup Premier Division | accessdate=3 June 2016}}</ref>

===Griquas===

Van der Spuy joined [[Kimberley, Northern Cape|Kimberley]]-based side {{Rut|Griquas}} before the 2015 season.<ref name="Streeptruie wil Taute in nuwe rol aanwend">{{cite web | url=http://www.volksblad.com/sport/2014-08-13-streeptruie-wil-taute-in-nuwe-rol-aanwend | title=Streeptruie wil Taute in nuwe rol aanwend | publisher=Volksblad | date=13 August 2014 | access-date=13 August 2014 | language=Afrikaans}}</ref>

===Free State Cheetahs===

Van der Spuy signed a contract to join [[Bloemfontein]]-based side {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}} before the 2016 season on a two-year contract.<ref name="Blitsbok Ruhan Nel draf op vleuel uit in Loftus-stryd">{{cite web | url=http://www.netwerk24.com/sport/rugby/2015-08-13-blitsbok-ruhan-nel-draf-op-vleuel-uit-in-loftus-stryd | title=Blitsbok Ruhan Nel draf op vleuel uit in Loftus-stryd | work=Netwerk24 | date=13 August 2015 | access-date=13 August 2015 | language=Afrikaans}}</ref><ref name="Superrugby-spelers by GW ál minder">{{cite web | url=http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/2015/08/12/SK/14/gkgriekwas-SK_33_0_422444761.html | archive-url=https://archive.today/20160401063300/http://152.111.1.87/argief/berigte/dieburger/2015/08/12/SK/14/gkgriekwas-SK_33_0_422444761.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=1 April 2016 | title=Superrugby-spelers by GW ál minder | work=Die Burger | date=12 August 2015 | access-date=18 August 2015 | language=Afrikaans }}</ref>

==References==

{{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Van der Spuy, Michael}} [[Category:South African rugby union players]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:1991 births]] [[Category:Rugby union players from Bethlehem, Free State]] [[Category:Stormers players]] [[Category:Rugby union centres]] [[Category:Alumni of Grey College, Bloemfontein]] [[Category:21st-century South African sportsmen]]