Marthinus Johannes "M.J." Mentz (born 21 July 1982, 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.
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.[citation needed]
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
- ^ "SA Rugby Player Profile – MJ Mentz". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
- ^ "MJ Mentz neem leisels oor by Jimmy Stonehouse". Netwerk24 (in Afrikaans). 3 February 2015. Retrieved 28 October 2015.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Steval Pumas 2016 signings". Rugby15. 2 November 2015. Archived from the original on 5 February 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
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