MJ Mentz

Marthinus Johannes Mentz (born 21 July 1982 in Ermelo, South Africa) is a former South African rugby union player and currently the backline coach of Currie Cup side the Pumas.[1] He regularly played as a winger or a fullback.

MJ Mentz

Full name	Marthinus Johannes Mentz
Date of birth	21 July 1982
Place of birth	Ermelo, South Africa
Height	1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight	85 kg (187 lb; 13 st 5 lb)
School	Hoërskool Ermelo
University	North-West University, Potchefstroom
Rugby union career
Position(s) Winger / Fullback / Fly-half Youth career 2002 Leopards Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 2002–2004 Leopards 27 (45) 2005–2008 Griquas 66 (140) 2009–2012 Pumas 38 (40) Correct as of 28 October 2015 National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1998 S.A. Under-16 2000 South Africa Schools 2003 South Africa Under-21 2007–2010 South Africa Sevens 18 Correct as of 28 October 2015 Teams coached Years Team 2013–2014 Pumas (assistant) 2015–2016 Pumas (head coach) 2017–present Pumas (backline coach)
Medal record Men's rugby sevens Representing  South Africa Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi Team competition

Career

He played for the Leopards, Griquas and Pumas in domestic South African rugby during his playing career which spanned 2002 to 2012. He also represented South Africa at Under-16, Under-18 and Under-21 level and represented the South African Sevens in 18 tournaments between 2006 and 2011, including the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India where his team won the bronze medal.

He wrapped up his playing career at the Pumas, retiring after the 2012 season. The Pumas appointed him as a coach and assistant to head coach Jimmy Stonehouse. When Stonehouse left to join Japanese Top League side Toshiba Brave Lupus at the start of 2015, Mentz was named as his successor.[2] He guided the Pumas to their first ever Vodacom Cup title in 2015, beating Western Province 24–7 in the final,[3] and to sixth position in the 2015 Currie Cup Premier Division.

On 2 November 2015, the Pumas announced that Mentz was reappointed as head coach until the end of 2017.[4]

References

1. "SA Rugby Player Profile – MJ Mentz". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
2. "MJ Mentz neem leisels oor by Jimmy Stonehouse". Netwerk24 (in Afrikaans). 3 February 2015. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
3. "Steval Pumas first-time Vodacom Cup champions – Final Review". South African Rugby Union. 31 May 2015. Archived from the original on 9 June 2016. Retrieved 9 June 2016.
4. "Steval Pumas 2016 signings". Rugby15. 2 November 2015. Archived from the original on 5 February 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2015.