Wayne van der Bank

Wayne van der Bank (born (1997-01-07)7 January 1997) is a South African rugby union player for the New England Free Jacks in Major League Rugby (MLR) in the United States. His regular position is centre.

Wayne van der Bank

Date of birth	(1997-01-07) 7 January 1997 (age 28)
Place of birth	Pretoria, South Africa
Height	1.84 m (6 ft 1⁄2 in)
Weight	89 kg (196 lb)
School	Hoërskool Menlopark
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre Current team New England Free Jacks Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2017–2019 Golden Lions XV 12 (15) 2019 Golden Lions 1 (0) 2020–2021 Pumas 11 (5) 2022– New England Free Jacks 50 (80) Correct as of 28 July 2025[1]

Pro career

A former Blue Bull youth player Wayne van der Bank was named in the 2017 South Africa U20s side. He was also named in the South African 7s Academy.^[2]

He previously played for the Golden Lions in the Currie Cup and the Golden Lions XV in the Rugby Challenge.

He made his Currie Cup debut for the Golden Lions in July 2019, starting their opening match of the 2019 season against the Pumas at inside centre.^[3] He would then Play for Pumas the following year appearing in 11 matches scoring 1 trie.

Van Der Bank would sign with the New England free jacks for the 2022 season. He would appear in 16 matches scoring 4 tries.

In 2023 Van der Bank would appear in 10 match’s being apart of the New England free jacks MLR championship team. The following year in 2024 he would have a break out year leading the league in both tackle breaks (69) and defenders beaten (92) as well as scoring 10 tries. This would lead to him being named Major league Rugby player of the year. As well as being named to the All MLR first team. He would also win another championship with the free jacks at the end of the year.^[4]

van der Bank would be featured on sports centers top 10 plays for a trie he scored vs Athem Rugby in round 18 of the 2024 season. He would be the only MLR player featured on the show that season.^[5]

During the 2025 season he would make his 50th cap for the free jacks.^[6] Winning a third straight championship at the end of the season.

Honours

New England Free Jacks

• Major League championship: 2025
• Major league Rugby player of the year: 2024
• Major League Rugby Championship: 2024
• All Major League Rugby first team: 2024^[7]
• Major League Rugby Championship: 2023

Personal life

van der Bank has 2 brothers and 1 sister.^[8] He is married to his wife Winicha.^[9]

In 2022 he studied to become a pastor.^[8]