POSITION:
Prop
CLUB TEAM:
Stade Aurillacois (France)
HOMETOWN:
Pretoria
DOB:
June 18, 2001
CATEGORY:
Challenger
SPORTING CODE:
Rugby
Robbie Rodgers, born Robert Rodgers on June 18, 2001, in South Africa, is a 24-year-old rugby union prop renowned for his powerful scrummaging and physical dominance in the front row. Standing at 1.83m (6'0") and weighing 115kg (253lbs), Rodgers has carved a path from elite South African schoolboy rugby to professional leagues in France, following in the footsteps of his father, former Springbok prop Heinrich Rodgers. His career emphasizes early international exposure, rapid adaptation to European rugby, and a focus on loosehead duties, positioning him as a rising talent in the prop position.
Rodgers' rugby roots trace back to Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch, one of South Africa's premier rugby schools, where he honed his skills as a loosehead prop in the 1st XV during the late 2010s. By 2018, he was already a standout, contributing to the team's competitive campaigns in national schoolboy tournaments.
Forgoing the traditional South African domestic route through Super Rugby or Currie Cup, Rodgers made an audacious move straight out of school, signing with Top 14 side Montpellier Hérault Rugby in 2020. Rodgers made his senior debut for Montpellier in April 2021, aged 19, coming off the bench in a Top 14 match—a milestone that highlighted his potential as a "ridiculously jacked" young prop with explosive power. Over the next three seasons (2021/22 to 2023/24), he featured sporadically in the Top 14 and European Rugby Champions Cup, logging limited but impactful minutes. His time at Montpellier focused on building resilience against elite opposition, with notable substitute appearances showcasing his carrying ability and set-piece work. By the end of his stint, he had accumulated around 20 professional outings, scoring no tries but establishing himself as a reliable squad member.
Seeking more consistent game time to accelerate his development, Rodgers transferred to Pro D2 side Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne in 2024, where he continues as a key prop for the 2024/25 season. In Aurillac's promotion push, he has embraced a starting role, contributing to the team's competitive standing in France's second tier. As of October 2025, Rodgers remains uncapped at senior international level for South Africa but has been part of SA Rugby's youth development pathways, including U20 exposure.
Rodgers' rugby roots trace back to Paul Roos Gymnasium in Stellenbosch, one of South Africa's premier rugby schools, where he honed his skills as a loosehead prop in the 1st XV during the late 2010s. By 2018, he was already a standout, contributing to the team's competitive campaigns in national schoolboy tournaments.
Forgoing the traditional South African domestic route through Super Rugby or Currie Cup, Rodgers made an audacious move straight out of school, signing with Top 14 side Montpellier Hérault Rugby in 2020. Rodgers made his senior debut for Montpellier in April 2021, aged 19, coming off the bench in a Top 14 match—a milestone that highlighted his potential as a "ridiculously jacked" young prop with explosive power. Over the next three seasons (2021/22 to 2023/24), he featured sporadically in the Top 14 and European Rugby Champions Cup, logging limited but impactful minutes. His time at Montpellier focused on building resilience against elite opposition, with notable substitute appearances showcasing his carrying ability and set-piece work. By the end of his stint, he had accumulated around 20 professional outings, scoring no tries but establishing himself as a reliable squad member.
Seeking more consistent game time to accelerate his development, Rodgers transferred to Pro D2 side Stade Aurillacois Cantal Auvergne in 2024, where he continues as a key prop for the 2024/25 season. In Aurillac's promotion push, he has embraced a starting role, contributing to the team's competitive standing in France's second tier. As of October 2025, Rodgers remains uncapped at senior international level for South Africa but has been part of SA Rugby's youth development pathways, including U20 exposure.
