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 Schools Rugby
2022
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SA U/20 Rugby
2024
POSITION:
Scrumhalf
CLUB TEAM:
Bulls
HOMETOWN:
Pretoria
DOB:
April 4, 0004
CATEGORY:
Young Guns
SPORTING CODE:
Rugby
Steven Nel is a versatile and agile South African rugby union scrum-half (position 9), noted for his quick decision-making, sharp passing, and ability to snipe around the fringes of the ruck. Born on 4 April 2004, the 1.78m, 78kg halfback developed his game at Hoërskool Garsfontein in Pretoria, where he emerged as a standout schoolboy talent in the Blue Bulls region.
Nel's youth career gained national recognition in 2022 when he was selected for the SA Schools squad, representing South Africa in the U18 international series against Wales and England. His performances at Garsfontein also earned him inclusion in the World Under-18 XV that year, where he was highlighted as a promising scrum-half alongside global peers.
Transitioning to provincial rugby, Nel joined the Vodacom Bulls academy and featured prominently in their junior sides. In 2024, he starred for the Bulls U21 team, scoring a brace of tries in a dominant win over Free State in the U21 Cup, showcasing his attacking flair. By 2025, as vice-captain of the U21s, he started at scrum-half in key matches, including against the Golden Lions, while being named in the broader junior intake.
Nel made his senior debut in the 2025 Carling Currie Cup for the Vodacom Bulls, one of seven debutants in the opening rounds under coach Phiwe Nomlomo, and was included in the United Rugby Championship (URC) squad, marking his entry into professional rugby. Nel has been included in the 2025/2026 Bulls URC squad rubbing shoulders with the likes of Zak Burger and Embrose Papier and will look to gain valuable experience during this season. As of September 2025, the 21-year-old remains uncapped at the Junior Springbok and senior Springbok levels but is viewed as a high-potential prospect in the Bulls system, with pathways to greater exposure in Super Rugby and international youth competitions.
Nel's youth career gained national recognition in 2022 when he was selected for the SA Schools squad, representing South Africa in the U18 international series against Wales and England. His performances at Garsfontein also earned him inclusion in the World Under-18 XV that year, where he was highlighted as a promising scrum-half alongside global peers.
Transitioning to provincial rugby, Nel joined the Vodacom Bulls academy and featured prominently in their junior sides. In 2024, he starred for the Bulls U21 team, scoring a brace of tries in a dominant win over Free State in the U21 Cup, showcasing his attacking flair. By 2025, as vice-captain of the U21s, he started at scrum-half in key matches, including against the Golden Lions, while being named in the broader junior intake.
Nel made his senior debut in the 2025 Carling Currie Cup for the Vodacom Bulls, one of seven debutants in the opening rounds under coach Phiwe Nomlomo, and was included in the United Rugby Championship (URC) squad, marking his entry into professional rugby. Nel has been included in the 2025/2026 Bulls URC squad rubbing shoulders with the likes of Zak Burger and Embrose Papier and will look to gain valuable experience during this season. As of September 2025, the 21-year-old remains uncapped at the Junior Springbok and senior Springbok levels but is viewed as a high-potential prospect in the Bulls system, with pathways to greater exposure in Super Rugby and international youth competitions.
