Kevin Stevens (rugby union)

Kevin Stevens

Full name	Kevin Bruce Stevens
Date of birth	(1987-01-30) 30 January 1987 (age 37)
Place of birth	Virginia, South Africa
Height	1.86 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	114 kg (17 st 13 lb; 251 lb)
School	Grey College, Bloemfontein
University	University of the Free State
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop Current team Free State Cheetahs Youth career 2005–2008 Free State Cheetahs Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 2012 UFS Shimlas 2 (0) Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2007–2009 Free State Cheetahs 6 (0) 2009–2013 Griffons 72 (15) 2011 → Griquas 1 (0) 2014 Free State Cheetahs 5 (0) 2014 → Griffons 1 (0) 2014 Cheetahs 1 (0) 2014–2017 Free State XV 12 (5) 2018 Free State Cheetahs 4 (0) 2023– Free State Cheetahs () Correct as of 22 September 2018

Kevin Bruce Stevens (born 30 January 1987) is a South African professional rugby union player who last played for the Free State Cheetahs in the Currie Cup.[1] His regular position is loosehead prop.

Career

Youth

After representing the Free State Cheetahs at the 2005 Under-18 Craven Week competition,[2] he progressed through the different youth structures at the team, playing for the Free State U19 side in 2006 and for the Free State U21 side in 2007 and 2008.

Free State Cheetahs

Stevens first appeared for the senior side when he played in a compulsory friendly between the Pumas and the Free State Cheetahs prior to the 2007 Currie Cup Premier Division.[3] He was named in the squad for the 2008 Vodacom Cup, but failed to make an appearance. His first senior appearance in a competitive first class match came during the 2009 Vodacom Cup competition, when he started their match against the Border Bulldogs,[4] one of five appearances in that competition.

Griffons

Stevens failed to break into the Currie Cup squad at the Free State Cheetahs and decided to join their near-neighbours the Griffons prior to the 2009 Currie Cup First Division season.[5] He remained in Welkom for the next four years, playing regularly in the Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup competitions, making 72 appearances for the side. He helped the Griffons reach the semi-finals of the First Division for four years in a row between 2009 and 2012, although they never won it or appeared in the promotion play-off matches.

In 2012, he also made two appearances for Varsity Cup side UFS Shimlas.

Griquas

In 2011, Stevens also played in one match on loan to the Griquas, his first match in the Premier Division of the Currie Cup. He played off the bench just after the hour mark against former side the Free State Cheetahs and helped his side to a 23–20 victory in Kimberley.[6]

Return to Free State Cheetahs

Despite announcing his intention to leave the Griffons at the end of 2013 to a career outside of rugby,[7] he was subsequently included in the Free State XV side that played in the 2014 Vodacom Cup competition.[8] He started in all their matches during the season, also scoring one try against Western Province in Cape Town.[9]

References

1. "SA Rugby Player Profile – Kevin Stevens". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
2. "Grey on Grey in massive schools weekend". keo.co.za. 29 July 2005. Archived from the original on 21 May 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
3. "Juries moet wys wat in hom steek". Volksblad. 24 August 2007. Archived from the original on 21 May 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
4. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Free State 41–17 Border Bulldogs". South African Rugby Union. 28 February 2009. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
5. "Griffons wil leen by Naka" (in Afrikaans). Volksblad. 22 May 2009. Archived from the original on 21 May 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
6. "SA Rugby Match Centre – GWK Griquas 23–20 Toyota Free State Cheetahs". South African Rugby Union. 27 August 2011. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
7. "Drie Griffons-staatmakers tree uit" (in Afrikaans). Volksblad. 11 January 2014. Archived from the original on 21 May 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
8. "SA Rugby Squad – Toyota Free State XV : 2014 Vodacom Cup". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
9. "SA Rugby Match Centre – DHL Western Province 28–15 Toyota Free State XV". South African Rugby Union. 12 April 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2016.