Johnathan Francke

Johnathan Charles Francke (born 17 May 1986 in Strand, South Africa) is a South African rugby union player for Griquas in the Currie Cup and in the Rugby Challenge.[1] His regular position is outside centre.

Johnathan Francke

Full name	Johnathan Charles Francke
Date of birth	17 May 1986
Place of birth	Strand, South Africa
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight	92 kg (14 st 7 lb; 203 lb)
School	Strand Secondary
University	Boland College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre Current team Griquas Youth career 2007 Western Province Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2008–2010 Maties 8 (10) Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2011–2013 Boland Cavaliers 55 (80) 2013–present Griquas 84 (75) Correct as of 16 July 2018 National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2007 South Africa Students 0 (0) Correct as of 8 October 2013

Career

Youth and Varsity rugby

In 2007, he played for the Western Province U19 team. He was then included in the Maties Varsity Cup squads in 2008 (without making an appearance), 2009 (where he made one start in their match against the TUT Vikings)[2] and 2010, when he established himself as a first team player, making seven appearances and scoring two tries.

Boland Cavaliers

Francke then joined Wellington-based side Boland Cavaliers. His first class debut came during their 2011 Vodacom Cup match against Griquas in Bredasdorp, also scoring a try a mere seven minutes after coming on.[3] Four more tries followed in six appearances for the remainder of that competition. He was also involved in their Currie Cup squad straight away, playing in a compulsory friendly match against Western Province prior to the 2011 Currie Cup First Division (again marking his debut at this level with a try)[4] and made his debut in the competition proper a few weeks later in a 69–12 victory against the Border Bulldogs.[5]

He remained a regular for the team – mostly as a substitute – that season, helping the Boland Cavaliers to the First Division title, beating the Eastern Province Kings 43–12 in the final.[6] He made several more appearances for them in both the Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup competitions in 2012 and 2013, amassing over fifty appearances for the team.

Griquas

He signed a deal with Kimberley-based outfit Griquas for 2014.[7] With the Boland Cavaliers' season already finished, he actually joined Griquas on loan for the final match of their 2013 Currie Cup Premier Division regular season, being named in their starting line-up for their match against the Golden Lions.[8]

In July 2014, he extended his contract until the end of 2016.[9]

References

1. "SA Rugby Player Profile – Johnathan Francke". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
2. "SA Rugby Match Centre – TUT 17-24 Maties". South African Rugby Union. 2 March 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
3. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Boland Cavaliers 25-42 GWK Griquas". South African Rugby Union. 26 February 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
4. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Boland Cavaliers 22-15 DHL Western Province". South African Rugby Union. 23 June 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
5. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Regent Boland Cavaliers 69-12 Border Bulldogs". South African Rugby Union. 16 July 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
6. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Regent Boland Cavaliers 43-12 Eastern Province Kings". South African Rugby Union. 14 October 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
7. "Stut-skok vir GW, Cheetahs". Media24 (in Afrikaans). Beeld. 15 August 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2013.
8. "Griquas keep their powder dry". Rugby365. 8 October 2013. Retrieved 8 October 2013.
9. "Griekwas behou 4 sterre" (in Afrikaans). Volksblad. 25 July 2014. Retrieved 25 July 2014.