Photo: 江戸村のとくぞう / CC BY-SA 4.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)

Wimpie van der Walt

ヴィンピー・ファンデルヴァルト　/　ゔぃんぴー・ふぁんでるゔぁると

Rugby union player from South Africa

January 6, 1989 (age 37)　・　Brits, North West, South Africa

North West
rugby union player

My Take

Wimpie van der Walt is a fascinating example of rugby's globalized labor market. Born in Brits in South Africa's North West province in 1989, he ended up qualifying for and representing Japan internationally, a route that's become surprisingly common as players settle into the Japanese league. Playing lock or flanker for the Red Hurricanes, he's the kind of hard-grafting forward who does the unglamorous work that wins matches. I find these cross-national rugby stories compelling because they say so much about where the sport's money and opportunity have shifted. I'd love to see his Japan cap count and Top League stats fleshed out on this page.

Overview

Petrus Willem van der Walt (born 6 January 1989 in Brits, North West) is a South African-born Japanese rugby union player who represents Japan at international level and is currently playing with NTT DoCoMo Red Hurricanes in the Japanese Top League. His regular position is lock or flanker.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

1. Profile

Name (English): Wimpie van der Walt
Name (Japanese): ヴィンピー・ファンデルヴァルト
Reading: ゔぃんぴー・ふぁんでるゔぁると
Born: January 6, 1989 (age 37)
Zodiac / Chinese zodiac: Capricorn / Snake
Origin: Brits, North West, South Africa
Blood type: Private
Height: Private
Agency: Private
Occupation: rugby union player

2. Background

Elementary school: Private
Junior high: Private
High school: Private
University: Private

3. Relationships

Spouse: Private
Children: Private
Parents: Private
Siblings: Private

4. Personality

Motto

Private

6. Links

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