Pat Cilliers

{{short description|South Africa international rugby union player}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox rugby biography | name = Pat(mining industrialist) Cilliers | image = Cilliers 2015.JPG | fullname = Patric Michael Cilliers | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1987|03|03|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Pietermaritzburg]], [[South Africa]] | height = {{height|m=1.86}} | weight = {{convert|133|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on}} | nickname = | occupation = | school = [[Michaelhouse]] | university = | relatives = | position = [[Prop (rugby union)|Tighthead Prop]] | currentclub = | youthyears1 = 2005–2006 | youthclubs1 = {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}} | years1 = 2007–2010 | clubs1 = {{Rut|Sharks}} | apps1 = 3 | points1 = 0 | years2 = 2007–2010 | clubs2 = {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)|CC=y}} | apps2 = 54 | points2 = 40 | years3 = 2011–2012 | clubs3 = {{Rut|Lions}} | apps3 = 28 | points3 = 5 | years4 = 2011–2012 | clubs4 = {{Rut|Golden Lions}} | apps4 = 17 | points4 = 20 | years5 = 2013–2014 | clubs5 = {{Rut|Stormers}} | apps5 = 23 | points5 = 0 | years6 = 2013–2014 | clubs6 = {{Rut|Western Province}} | apps6 = 23 | points6 = 5 | years7 = 2014–2016 | clubs7 = {{Rut|Montpellier}} | apps7 = 31 | points7 = 0 | years8 = 2016–2018 | clubs8 = [[Leicester Tigers]] | apps8 = 26 | points8 = 5 | years9 = 2018–2020 | clubs9 = [[London Irish]] | apps9 = 16 | points9 = 0 | repyears1 = 2009 | repteam1 = [[Emerging Springboks]] | repcaps1 = 1 | reppoints1 = 0 | repyears2 = 2012 | repteam2 = {{nrut|South Africa}} | repcaps2 = 6 | reppoints2 = 0 | totalyears = 2007–present | totalapps = 205 | totalpoints = 75 | clubupdate = 1 July 2020 | repupdate = 17 August 2014 }}

'''Patric Michael Cilliers''' (born 3 March 1988) is a [[rugby union]] player who won 6 caps for {{nrut|South Africa}} in 2012. He has previously played for the {{Rut|Sharks}}, {{Rut|Lions}} and {{Rut|Stormers}} in [[Super Rugby]] and has played [[Currie Cup]] rugby for the {{Rut|Sharks (Currie Cup)}}, {{Rut|Golden Lions}} and {{Rut|Western Province}}, in Europe he has played for [[Premiership Rugby]] sides [[Leicester Tigers]] and [[London Irish]]. His position is [[Prop (rugby union)|prop]].

==Career== ===South Africa=== Born in [[Pietermaritzburg]], [[South Africa]] and educated at [[Michaelhouse]], Cilliers began his professional career with the Sharks, but his time with the team was limited by knee injuries. He transferred with fellow Shark [[Michael Rhodes (rugby union)|Michael Rhodes]] to the Lions at the end of the [[2010 Currie Cup Premier Division]] season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lionsrugby.co.za/index.php/all-rugby/super-14/853-cilliers-and-rhodes-sign-with-lions |title=Cilliers and Rhodes sign with Lions |access-date=2012-01-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114210644/http://www.lionsrugby.co.za/index.php/all-rugby/super-14/853-cilliers-and-rhodes-sign-with-lions |archive-date=2010-11-14 }}</ref> Cilliers was selected in the starting line-up for the 2011 Currie Cup final against the Sharks, and scored a try in the memorable 42-1 victory.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lionsrugby.co.za/index.php/all-rugby/currie-cup/news-a-results/1571-rampant-mtn-golden-lions-outplay-sharks-to-claim-currie-cup |title=Rampant MTN Golden Lions outplay Sharks to claim Currie Cup |access-date=2012-01-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111206222915/http://www.lionsrugby.co.za/index.php/all-rugby/currie-cup/news-a-results/1571-rampant-mtn-golden-lions-outplay-sharks-to-claim-currie-cup |archive-date=2011-12-06 }}</ref> He also played for the [[Lions (Super rugby franchise)|Lions]] in the [[Super Rugby]].<ref name="Lions to confirm mass exodus">{{cite web | url=http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Lions-to-confirm-mass-exodus-20121003 | title=Lions to confirm mass exodus | date=3 Oct 2012 | publisher=Sport24 | access-date=3 Oct 2012 }}</ref> During his time in [[Johannesburg]], he was also called up to the national team, making his debut on 18 August 2012 against [[Argentina national rugby union team|Argentina]]. He then moved to [[Cape Town]], where he played [[Super Rugby]] for the {{Rut|Stormers}} and [[Currie Cup]] rugby for {{Rut|Western Province}} winning the 2014 Currie Cup final against his old side the Lions.

===Europe=== He then joined South African coach [[Jake White]] at French [[Top 14]] side {{Rut|Montpellier}}, where he played from 2014 to 2016 before joining [[English Premiership (rugby union)|English Premiership]] side [[Leicester Tigers]] prior to the 2016–2017 season.<ref name="Bok-droom laat Wilco ‘nee’ sê vir miljoene">{{cite web | url=http://www.netwerk24.com/Sport/Rugby/bok-droom-laat-wilco-nee-se-vir-miljoene-20160213 | title=Bok-droom laat Wilco 'nee' sê vir miljoene | work=Netwerk24 | date=14 February 2016 | access-date=15 February 2016 | language=Afrikaans}}</ref> Cilliers made his Leicester debut on 4 November 2016 against [[Bath Rugby|Bath]] in an [[Anglo-Welsh Cup]] match. After 26 appearances over two seasons Cilliers moved on to [[London Irish]] in the summer of 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/forward-pat-cilliers-moves-leicester-1773110|title=Forward Pat Cilliers moves from Leicester Tigers to London Irish|date=11 July 2018|access-date=12 July 2018|publisher=Leicester Mercury}}</ref> He was released ahead of the 2020–21 season.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-07-04|title=Thank you to the leavers {{!}} 4th July 2020 {{!}} News|url=https://www.london-irish.com/news/thank-you-to-the-leavers/bp2627/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200704134848/https://www.london-irish.com/news/thank-you-to-the-leavers/bp2627/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=4 July 2020|access-date=2020-07-04|website=London Irish|language=en}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *{{SA Rugby Player Profile | id=38427 | name=Pat Cilliers | date=2 June 2016}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20110227132345/http://www.lionsrugby.co.za/index.php/all-rugby/super-14/player-profiles/988-patric-cilliers Lions Profile] *[http://www.itsrugby.co.uk/joueur-8273.html It's Rugby profile] *{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20180712184109/https://www.london-irish.com/players/pat-cilliers/s202038928/ London Irish Player Profile]}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cilliers, Patric}} [[Category:1987 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Afrikaner people]] [[Category:South African expatriate rugby union players in England]] [[Category:South African expatriate rugby union players in France]] [[Category:21st-century South African sportsmen]] [[Category:Leicester Tigers players]] [[Category:Lions (United Rugby Championship) players]] [[Category:London Irish players]] [[Category:Montpellier Hérault Rugby players]] [[Category:Rugby union players from Pietermaritzburg]] [[Category:Rugby union props]] [[Category:Sharks (rugby union) players]] [[Category:South Africa international rugby union players]] [[Category:South African rugby union players]] [[Category:Stormers players]] [[Category:Alumni of Michaelhouse]]