MJ PELSER ADDS QUALITY TO ZEBRE

Parma, 31 May 2022 - The Zebras continue to define the squad for next season, adding another important step in the third line department. To compensate for the departures of Giammarioli, Mbandà and Tuivaiti and to compete better in the two international tournaments United Rugby Championship and EPCR Challenge Cup, the XV of the North West is pleased to welcome the South African flanker MJ Pelser.

In addition to reinforcing the pack of the team coached by coach Roselli for the next two years, the 23-year-old No. 6 of the Lions will add quality and depth to a squad that will be forced to do without several athletes of the Italian national team.

The first statements of MJ Pelser , new third-row athlete of Zebre Rugby: “I am strongly convinced that, as a club, we can raise our standards and raise expectations about Zebras. We have a great opportunity to inspire people and fans of all ages, attracting more and more supporters around us. I can't wait to start this new adventure with the aim of progressing as a player and contributing to the growth of the club to make it even more performing and competitive ".

Born in Rustenburg on July 28, 1998, MJ is a huge fan of all sports. At the age of five he began to try his hand at various disciplines, including rugby, deepening the experience and passion for the oval ball during his high school studies.

He attends the Monument High School, the same where several international level athletes were trained, including the former second-line Azzurra Quintin Geldenhuys who wrote some of the most beautiful pages of his career in the high level right at the Zebre.

At the age of sixteen he enters the training system of the Lions franchise, wearing the red and white colors at the youth, provincial and international levels.

The Golden Lions debut with the first team takes place in 2018, on the occasion of the SuperSport Rugby Challenge national second division championship.

With the "Covid-19" emergency, the suspension of competitive activity and the limitation to international travel, Pelser took part in the Super Rugby Unlocked, the former domestic competition that in the autumn of 2020, in addition to the Johannesburg franchise, saw also take the field Bulls, Sharks, Stormers, Cheetahs, Griquas and Pumas.

In the spring of 2021 he participates in the Rainbow Cup, collecting five appearances and scoring two goals in the South African tournament that introduced the four maximum Springboks formations in the newly born international United Rugby Championship competition.

During the last season MJ - who will join Parma and his new teammates in July - finally took to the field in the Currie Cup provincial national championship which will end next June 25 with the play-off final.

The card of MJ Pelser, third line of the Zebre Rugby:

Name: MJ

Surname:  Pelser

Born  in:  Rustenburg (RSA)

On:  07/28/1998

Height:  183 cm

Weight:  103 kg

Role:  third line

Honors:

Caps:

United Rugby Championship appearances:  5

EPCR Champions Cup appearances:  0

EPCR Challenge Cup appearances:  0

Previous clubs:  Emirates Lions (RSA)

Instagram:  @ mjpelser_6