Jaco van der Walt represents a compelling journey of rugby talent from South African domestic rugby to international recognition with Scotland, establishing himself as one of the most consistent fly-halves of his generation.
Personal Profile and Background
Born on February 1, 1994, in Randfontein, South Africa, Jaco van der Walt is currently 31 years old and stands at 1.82 meters tall (6 ft 0 in), weighing 92 kg (202 lbs). These physical attributes have served him well throughout his career as a fly-half, providing the perfect balance of agility and strength required for the position.
Van der Walt comes from a rugby family, with his younger brother Gerdus also pursuing a professional rugby career. Both brothers came through the ranks at the Golden Lions and they played together on occasion; on 8 May 2015, both were selected in the starting line-up for the Golden Lions’ match against the Griffons in Welkom. An interesting family detail is that Jaco van der Walt’s grandfather was a detective in the Dutch police force before emigrating to South Africa.
Early Career and Youth Development
Van der Walt’s rugby journey began at a very young age with the Golden Lions system. He first represented the Golden Lions as early as primary school level, when he represented them at the Under-13 Craven Week competition in 2007. His progression through the youth ranks was systematic and impressive.
In 2010, he played at the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week competition and he played at both the 2011 and 2012 editions of the Under-18 Craven Week. His performances at these prestigious youth tournaments earned him recognition at national level, where he was also included in the South African Schools squad in both those seasons.
During his university years, van der Walt also played Varsity Cup rugby for the University of Johannesburg and remains loyal to the union, having been with the Golden Lions since U13 level.
Professional Career with Golden Lions
First-Class Debut
His first class debut for the Golden Lions came as a 20-year-old in the first match of the 2014 Currie Cup Premier Division. The debut came in dramatic circumstances when first-choice fly-half Marnitz Boshoff left the field ten minutes into the second half with a fractured arm, which led to Van der Walt’s introduction. He kicked one conversion and two penalties as the Golden Lions ran out 41–13 winners.
This early exposure to high-pressure situations helped shape van der Walt’s character as a reliable goal-kicker and game manager. The Randfontein-born flyhalf was a member of the Golden Lions squad that finished runners-up to Western Province in the 2014 Currie Cup Final and was forced to make a swift transition to senior rugby as injury cover.
Super Rugby Career
Van der Walt’s Super Rugby career began in 2015, where he pushed hard for his Super Rugby debut against the Brumbies in 2015. Since making his debut in 2015 van der Walt has made a total of 17 Super Rugby appearances for the Lions and in July 2017 he signed a contract extension with the franchise.
His most notable achievement with the Lions came when Van der Walt played a role in helping the Lions reach this year’s Super Rugby final, where they eventually lost to 25-17 by the Crusaders at Ellis Park. This experience in a major final demonstrated his ability to perform on the biggest stages.
Edinburgh Rugby Era (2017-2023)
Transition to Scottish Rugby
In November 2017, Scottish Pro14 side Edinburgh announced that Van der Walt joined them on a two-and-a-half-year contract. The move represented a significant step in his career, taking him from Super Rugby to European competition.
The 23-year-old will join the squad before they set-off for Bloemfontein and will be available for selection for their game against the Cheetahs. This immediate integration demonstrated the confidence Edinburgh had in his abilities.
Career Highlights at Edinburgh
Van der Walt’s time at Edinburgh was marked by several significant achievements. Van der Walt grabbed his first Edinburgh Rugby try in the Challenge Cup victory over Stade Francais in January 2018 and played a pivotal role as the capital side qualified for its first-ever Guinness PRO14 Final Series in 2017/18.
PRO14 Golden Boot Achievement
The pinnacle of van der Walt’s club achievements came in the 2018/19 season. He enjoyed an excellent 2018/19 campaign and finished the season as the winner of the PRO14 Golden Boot. Van der Walt also enjoyed a personal triumph in claiming the Guinness PRO14 Golden Boot award, with a kicking accuracy of 86.84%.
This achievement highlighted his exceptional goal-kicking skills and consistency throughout the season, marking him as one of the most reliable kickers in European rugby.
Champions Cup Success
The tough-tackling stand-off enjoyed his most successful season to date in 2018/19 as Edinburgh Rugby reached the last eight of the Heineken Champions Cup. This represented a significant achievement for both van der Walt and Edinburgh, demonstrating their ability to compete with Europe’s elite clubs.
Contract Extensions and Commitment
Van der Walt’s performances earned him recognition from the club management. In January 2021, Van der Walt signed an undisclosed-length contract extension with Edinburgh, saying the capital club were “building a really strong side”.
By the time of his contract extension, he made his 66th Edinburgh Rugby appearance in last Saturday’s intercity derby against Glasgow Warriors and has notched up 373 points in his three years in the Scottish capital.
International Career with Scotland
Path to International Recognition
Van der Walt’s qualification for Scotland came through residency requirements. He made his international debut for Scotland against Ireland, at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, on 5 December 2020, having qualified for Scotland through residency in November 2020.
International Debut Performance
He scored 3 penalties and 1 conversion in a match Scotland lost 16-31. Despite the defeat, van der Walt’s performance was widely praised. Head coach Townsend selected five different players in the number 10 jersey during the tournament and hailed Van der Walt’s maiden outing as a “big positive”.
Coach Gregor Townsend’s assessment was positive: “I thought he did really well, he kicked very well. He was comfortable at international level”.
Limited International Opportunities
Unfortunately, van der Walt’s international career was relatively brief. His debut came against Ireland in the 2020 Autumn Nations Series, but his final cap came just months later, off the bench in a Six Nations thrashing of Italy at Murrayfield. The fly-half, who won four caps for Scotland after qualifying on residency grounds, expressed disappointment about the limited opportunities.
Return to South Africa with Bulls
Move Back Home
Van der Walt left Edinburgh in June 2023 to join the Bulls. This move represented a homecoming for the fly-half, returning to South African rugby after six successful years in Scotland.
Van der Walt admitted leaving Edinburgh last summer after six years in the capital was a bitter pill to swallow, but acknowledged the time had come for a new challenge.
Current Status
Jaco VAN DER WALT is a 31-year-old South African rugby player standing at 1.82 m tall (6 ft 0 in) and weighing in at 92 kg (14 st; 202.83 lb) , who currently plays for Bulls in South Africa as fly-half.
His return to South African rugby has provided him with renewed opportunities for regular game time and the chance to contribute to the Bulls’ ambitions in both the United Rugby Championship and domestic competitions.
Playing Style and Attributes
Van der Walt is renowned for his exceptional goal-kicking ability, as evidenced by his PRO14 Golden Boot award. His kicking accuracy of 86.84% during his peak season at Edinburgh demonstrates his reliability under pressure. He combines solid game management skills with the ability to create attacking opportunities for his teammates.
His experience across different rugby cultures – from South African physicality to European tactical sophistication – has made him a well-rounded player capable of adapting to various playing styles and conditions.
Legacy and Impact
Jaco van der Walt’s career represents a successful transition between rugby cultures and competitions. His achievements include domestic success in South Africa, individual recognition in European rugby, and international honors with Scotland. His PRO14 Golden Boot award stands as testament to his technical excellence, while his contributions to Edinburgh’s European campaigns demonstrate his ability to perform on the biggest stages.
At 31, van der Walt continues to bring experience and reliability to the Bulls, ensuring his rugby journey remains productive as he approaches the latter stages of his career. His story exemplifies the modern rugby player’s ability to adapt and succeed across different competitions and countries.
