A product of South Africa’s schoolboy rugby powerhouse, Grey College; AJ Coertzen thrived in the junior provincial ranks. Having represented Free State from U16 level, all the way through to the U21 Currie Cup, it wasn’t long before Coertzen broke into the senior squad, making his professional debut in the 2011 Vodacom Cup and becoming a standout performer for the Shimlas in the Varsity Cup.

AJ join the Griquas on loan in 2015, but the Kimberley-based outfit were so impressed with his composure that they quickly snapped up the experienced fullback on a full-time contract. So valuable was Coertzen to his new province that they gave him the captain’s armband in 2017, before AJ returned to the Cheetahs for the 2017/18 Pro 14 season. A brave and reliable last line of defence, it was his counter-attacking prowess that drew the attention of Aurillac, where he’s shown his speed and versatility by becoming one of the Pro D2’s most exciting outside backs.