Scott Mathie

Scott Mathie (born 1 February 1983 in Durban, South Africa) is a rugby union current coach and former player. He played as a scrum-half for the Blue Bulls, Sharks, Leeds Carnegie, Sale Sharks and Eastern Province Kings.^[1] He retired in October 2013. He was previously the head coach of the New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby (MLR). He is now the attacks and backs coach at Edinburgh Rugby.

Scott Mathie

Full name	Scott Mathie
Date of birth	(1983-02-01) 1 February 1983 (age 42)
Place of birth	Durban
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight	82 kg (181 lb; 12 st 13 lb)
Occupation(s)	Head Coach
Rugby union career
Position(s) Scrum-half Current team Eastern Province Kings Youth career 2002–2003 Blue Bulls Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2004 Blue Bulls 16 (15) 2006–2008 Sharks 5 (0) 2006–2008 Sharks (Currie Cup) 42 (20) 2008–2011 Leeds Carnegie 59 (20) 2011–2012 Sale Sharks 10 (10) 2012–2013 Eastern Province Kings 23 (0) Correct as of 8 October 2013 Coaching career Years Team 2019-2020 2022-2024 2024- Griquas (rugby union) New England Free Jacks Edinburgh Rugby Correct as of 6 February 2022

Professional career

Mathie would play at University of Pretoria. He would then continue his rugby career with joined Blue Bulls. Winning the currie cup in 2004. He would then play 2 seasons with the Sharks. Then from 2008-2011 he would play for Leeds Carnegie making 59 appearances and scoring 20 points. As well as winning promotion to the English Premiership in his first year. He would then play for Eastern Province Kings in 2012.^[2] He made 23 appearances for them in 2012 and 2013. He was initially named in the Southern Kings squad for the 2013 Super Rugby season, but was later released to the 2013 Vodacom Cup squad.^[3]

Coaching career

After retirement Mathie would find himself as the Head Coach of his alma mater Durban High School. He was later appointed assistant coach of the Griquas under Brent Ranse van Rensburg. He was further appointed as Head coach of the Griquas^[4] for the 2020-2021 season on the 5 September 2019. During his time with Griquas he was nicknamed “The Giant Killer” after leading his side to electrifying victories over Super Rugby-level opponents.^[5]

He was appointed as head coach of the New England Free Jacks^[6] for the 2022 season on 9 September 2021.

In Mathie first season as head coach of the free jacks he would find immediate success. Leading the team to a 13-3 record and their first ever playoff berth finishing as the 1 seed in the eastern conference. As the 1 seed the free jacks got to host the eastern conference championship but they would ultimately fall to New York rugby 24-16. Mathie would be named MLR Coach of the year at the end of the season.^[7] Being the first free jacks coach to given the honor. After a disappointing end to his first year Mathie and the free jacks would have a historic season the following year. During the 2023 season Mathie would lead the free jacks to a franchise record 14-2 record and once again securing the 1 seed in the eastern conference. They would once again host the eastern conference championship and go on to win fairly easily 25-7 over DC old glory. Securing the first conference championship in team history. Punching their ticket to their first appearance in the MLR championship. Mathie and the team would travel to seat geek stadium to play the San Diego legion for the 2023 MLR championship. Mathie and his team would go on to win a nail biter 25-24 to win the first MLR championship in team history.^[8] In 2024 Mathie would lead the free jacks to another successful season going 11-5 and getting the 1 seed for their 3rd year in a row. the MLR would add a extra playoff game during this season. The free jacks would beat DC old glory in the semi finals and would then go on to win the eastern conference championship for the second year in a row beating the Chicago Hounds. They would then play Seattle in the championship game. Mathie’s side would win the match 20-11 to go back to back as MLR champions making Mathie the first ever MLR coach to achieve that honor. At the end of the season he would be named coach of the year for the second time.^[9] Mathie would finish his time with the free jacks with a overall record of 38-10 and a playoff record of 5-1. Securing his spot in free jacks history.^[10]

On 16 August 2024 he was appointed Attack and Backs Coach at Edinburgh Rugby.^[11]

Head coaching record

Season	Team	Record	Standing	Postseason
2022	New England Free jacks	13-3	1st east	lost in eastern conference championship (24-16) Vs rugby New York
2023	New England Free jacks	14-2	1st east	Won Eastern conference Championship (25-7) Vs DC old Glory Won MLR Championship (25-24) Vs San Diego Legion
2024	New England Free jacks	11-5	1st east	Won Eastern conference semi final (33-29) Vs Dc old glory Won Eastern conference championship (23-17) Vs Chicago Hounds Won MLR championship (20-11) Vs Seattle Seawolves

Honours

As a coach

New England free jacks

• x2 Major League Rugby Championship: 2023, 2024
• x2 Major League Rugby Coach of the: 2022, 2024

As a player

Blue Bulls

• Currie cup: 2004

Leads Carnegie

• Yorkshire Cup: 2009

• National Division One: 2008–09

Personal life

Mathie is married to his wife Leigh the couple have 2 children together.^[12]

Mathie was born to a South African mother and an English father from Newcastle. Because of this Mathie is a fan of the football club Newcastle United.^[13]