ACHIEVEMENTS & MILESTONES
Discover the remarkable achievements of our featured athletes. From record-breaking performances to prestigious awards, each milestone tells a story of dedication and perseverance.
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SA U/18 Sevens Rugby
2023
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SA U/20 Rugby
2025
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U/20 Rugby World Championship Winner
2025
POSITION:
No. 8 / Flank
CLUB TEAM:
Freestate Cheetahs
HOMETOWN:
Bethlehem
DOB:
February 11, 2005
CATEGORY:
Young Guns
SPORTING CODE:
Rugby
Fano Linde is a promising South African rugby union player known for his powerful performances as a loose forward (position 8). Emerging from Bethlehem Voortrekker High School in the Free State, Linde quickly caught the attention of national selectors with his athleticism and work rate in the back row.
His international youth career began in 2023 when he was selected for the SA U18 Sevens training camp, held from 16 to 18 June in Stellenbosch. This opportunity positioned him as a candidate for the SA U18 Rugby Sevens team that competed at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago (4–11 August 2023), highlighting his versatility in both 15s and sevens formats.
By 2025, Linde had progressed to the senior youth ranks, earning a spot in the South Africa U20 squad for the World Rugby U20 Championship held in Italy. Listed as a number 8, he contributed to the Junior Springboks' dominant campaign, including a 73-14 pool-stage victory over Scotland where the team scored 11 tries, showcasing their forward dominance. As of September 2025, Linde remains an uncapped prospect for the senior Springboks but is regarded as a rising talent in South African rugby, with potential pathways into provincial teams like the Free State Cheetahs through continued strong performances at the U20 level.
His international youth career began in 2023 when he was selected for the SA U18 Sevens training camp, held from 16 to 18 June in Stellenbosch. This opportunity positioned him as a candidate for the SA U18 Rugby Sevens team that competed at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago (4–11 August 2023), highlighting his versatility in both 15s and sevens formats.
By 2025, Linde had progressed to the senior youth ranks, earning a spot in the South Africa U20 squad for the World Rugby U20 Championship held in Italy. Listed as a number 8, he contributed to the Junior Springboks' dominant campaign, including a 73-14 pool-stage victory over Scotland where the team scored 11 tries, showcasing their forward dominance. As of September 2025, Linde remains an uncapped prospect for the senior Springboks but is regarded as a rising talent in South African rugby, with potential pathways into provincial teams like the Free State Cheetahs through continued strong performances at the U20 level.
