{{short description|South African rugby union player|bot=PearBOT 5}} {{EngvarB|date=October 2017}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}} {{Infobox rugby union biography | name = Neil Claassen | image = | fullname = <!--if different--> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1992|09|26}} | birth_place = Pretoria, South Africa | height = {{height|m=1.97}} | weight = {{convert|100|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on}} | nickname = | occupation = | school = HTS Daniel Pienaar, Uitenhage Paarl Gimnasium 2010(Paarl) | university = Freestate
| relatives = | position = Lock / Flanker | currentclub = | youthyears1 = 2008 | youthclubs1 = {{Rut|Eastern Province Kings}} | youthyears2 = 2011–2013 | youthclubs2 = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}} | years1 = 2012–2016 | clubs1 = {{Rut|Free State XV}} | apps1 = 16 | points1 = 10 | years2 = 2014 | clubs2 = {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}} | apps2 = 10 | points2 = 0 | years3 = 2017–2018 | clubs3 = {{Rut|Griffons}} | apps3 = 30 | points3 = 35 | amatyears1 = 2014–2016 | amatteam1 = {{Rut|UFS Shimlas}} | amatapps1 = 20 | amatpoints1 = 15 | repyears1 = 2008 | repteam1 = South Africa Under-16 Elite Squad | repcaps1 = | reppoints1 = | clubupdate = 27 October 2018 | repupdate = 30 July 2014 }} '''Neil Claassen''' (born {{birth date|df=yes|1992|09|26}} in Pretoria, South Africa) is a South African rugby union player who last played for the {{Rut|Griffons}}.<ref name="SARU Player Profile Neil Claassen">{{SA Rugby Player Profile | id=45507 | name=Neil Claassen | date=29 May 2016}}</ref> His regular position is lock or flanker.
==Career==
===Youth and Varsity Cup rugby===
He was a member of the Eastern Province side that participated at the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week in 2008. His performance in the tournament also earned him an inclusion in an Under-16 Elite Squad in the same year.
He played for youth sides for Bloemfontein-based side, the {{Rut|Free State Cheetahs}}. He played for the {{Rut|Free State U19}} side in the 2011 Under-19 Provincial Championship, also captaining the side.<ref name="24 uur">{{cite web | url=http://152.111.11.6/argief/berigte/volksblad/2011/09/05/VB/15/VBKortSat.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808052612/http://152.111.11.6/argief/berigte/volksblad/2011/09/05/VB/15/VBKortSat.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=8 August 2014 | title=24 uur | work=Volksblad | date=5 September 2011 | access-date=30 July 2014 | language=Afrikaans }}</ref> He progressed to the {{Rut|Free State U21}} squad and started 25 matches for them during the 2012 and 2013 Under-21 Provincial Championships, also scoring six tries for them during the 2013 competition to make him his side's top try scorer for the competition.<ref name="SA Rugby Try Scorers – 2013 Absa Under 21 Competition">{{SA Rugby Try Scorers | id=1434 | comp=2013 Absa Under 21 Competition | date=5 May 2016}}</ref> This six-try haul also included a brace against eventual champions {{Rut|Western Province U21}}.<ref name="DHL Western Province 32-13 Toyota Free State">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=110644 | homeid=15244 | awayid=15234 | leagueid=1434 | hometeam=DHL Western Province | homescore=32 | awayscore=13 | awayteam=Toyota Free State | matchdate=31 August 2013 | date=21 September 2016}}</ref>
In 2014, he represented Varsity Cup side {{Rut|UFS Shimlas}}, scoring three tries in seven starts for the university side.
===Free State Cheetahs===
Claassen's first class debut came during the 2012 Vodacom Cup competition. He started two matches for the {{Rut|Free State XV}} during the competition, a 34–30 victory over the {{Rut|SWD Eagles}}<ref name="Toyota Free State XV 34-30 SWD Eagles">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=103641 | homeid=11441 | awayid=11451 | leagueid=1211 | hometeam=Toyota Free State XV | homescore=34 | awayscore=30 | awayteam=SWD Eagles | matchdate=10 March 2012 | date=21 September 2016}}</ref> and a 30–32 defeat to the {{Rut|Boland Cavaliers}} in Bredasdorp a week later.<ref name="Regent Boland Kavaliers 32-30 Toyota Free State XV">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=103721 | homeid=11431 | awayid=11441 | leagueid=1211 | hometeam=Regent Boland Kavaliers | homescore=32 | awayscore=30 | awayteam=Toyota Free State XV | matchdate=17 March 2012 | date=21 September 2016}}</ref> He made a further seven first class appearances during the 2013 Vodacom Cup and also scored his first try in their match against the {{Rut|SWD Eagles}}.<ref name="South Western Districts 8-31 Toyota Free State XV">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=103784 | homeid=11724 | awayid=11734 | leagueid=1164 | hometeam=South Western Districts | homescore=8 | awayscore=31 | awayteam=Toyota Free State XV | matchdate=8 March 2013 | date=21 September 2016}}</ref>
After his spell with {{Rut|UFS Shimlas}} in the 2014 Varsity Cup, he returned to the {{Rut|Free State XV}} side to make three appearances towards the end of the 2014 Vodacom Cup competition, weighing in with one try in their 54–17 win against the {{Rut|Border Bulldogs}}.<ref name="Toyota Free State XV 54-17 Border Bulldogs">{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=118084 | homeid=17564 | awayid=17544 | leagueid=1734 | hometeam=Toyota Free State XV | homescore=54 | awayscore=17 | awayteam=Border Bulldogs | matchdate=5 April 2014 | date=21 September 2016}}</ref>
He was included in their Currie Cup squad for the first time prior to the 2014 Currie Cup Premier Division season.<ref name="Skoolseun in VS se Curriebeker-groep">{{cite web | url=http://www.beeld.com/sport/2014-07-24-skoolseun-in-vs-se-curriebeker-groep | title=Skoolseun in VS se Curriebeker-groep | work=Beeld | date=24 July 2014 | access-date=30 July 2014 | language=Afrikaans}}</ref>
==References==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Claassen, Neil}} Category:South African rugby union players Category:People educated at Daniel Pienaar Technical High School Category:Living people Category:1992 births Category:Rugby union players from Pretoria Category:Rugby union locks Category:Rugby union flankers Category:Cheetahs (rugby union) players Category:21st-century South African sportsmen