Le Roux Malan Secures URC Contract After Impactful Free Jacks Career
The Free Jacks are proud to announce today that midfielder, Le Roux Malan (Free Jack #57), will depart to the Hollywood Bets Sharks in Durban, South Africa to compete in the 2025/2026 United Rugby Championship (URC)competition.
Since his arrival in 2022, Malan has been one of Major League Rugby’s most influential players, a dominant presence in the 12 jersey for the Free Jacks, who terrified opposition defenses with his physical presence, left footed kicking game and try scoring prowess. Malan is one of the Free Jacks ‘famous four’ players to appear in each of the three consecutive championship games.
Over four seasons, the Namibian international made 59 appearances (53 starts) and crossed the line for 17 tries. His hard-running, hard-working style has been instrumental in building the Free Jacks’ championship-winning identity, embodying the club’s values through his relentless competitiveness and uncompromising work ethic.
Free Jacks fans will remember Le Roux for the powerful moments he delivered in our colors, from crucial tries in the 2023 and 2024 championship campaigns to the remarkable resilience he showed returning from a dislocated ankle at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. Join us in wishing Le Roux all the best in his next chapter!
Q&A with Le Roux
1. You’ve had an amazing journey over the four years since arriving to the Free Jacks in 2022. What stand out as key memories and highlights on and off the field for you?
My journey with the Free Jacks stretches far and cuts really deep. Obviously, all the championships were incredible. Doing a three-peat wasn’t something I ever thought would be achievable, but in saying that, it always felt within reach — and, with all humility, somewhat normal.
The first championship is one of my all-time favourite moments. We were written off by most people, and the only ones who believed in us were this special community. I think that’s such a brilliant example of what this club stands for — we have strength in our unity and will always have each other’s backs.
Another memory would be walking across the Boston Common on our Amazing Race challenge back at the start of 2022. Being from Africa, I had no clue how the hell people could endure such weather. Fast forward four years, and I’d like to think of myself as part Bostonian. Rain or sunshine, we just get on with it — no matter what. We always compete, and we always fight — with a smile on our faces and some sort of Dunkin’ in our hands.
All the injuries and the support throughout those really stand out for me too. Kenny making me an incredible banner when I came back from my ankle dislocation was truly special. I could literally write a book about all the memories: the snow game against Toronto, all the phone calls and longing for home, Mike’s hissing mini team games, Columbia Road, the Vault, energy bus, being billeted out to the fans, all the medical room yarns, the shaved eyebrows, the Red Rocket (!!), The countless team songs, GMB, Boston’s amazing charm and sport scene, and many, many more.
2. You’ve played a pivotal role in three championship campaigns with the Free Jacks as one of only 4 players to take the field in all 3 matches. What do those moments mean to you, and what will you take from the experience as you prepare for this next chapter?
All of those moments came with a lot of change and a lot of new faces. I experienced exponential growth throughout those years, especially in 2025. The Free Jacks do such an incredible job of recruiting exceptional individuals — as humans first, and then as rugby professionals. I’ve met lifelong friends in Boston and some of the most incredible people I’ve ever known.
I feel so lucky to have been part of all these special moments for the club and to have helped build the history that this team and its supporters so thoroughly deserve. I take with me a heart full of growth, love, life and rugby knowledge, and immense gratitude into this next chapter.
3. Tell us about where you are going, and what the next chapter entails?
I am off to the Cell C Sharks and signed a one-year deal. We play in the URC tournament. Pretty full-circle moment as I started my professional rugby career at the Sharks.
4. What message do you want to leave with the Free Jacks community — your teammates, staff and supporters of the club?
It’s hard to put into words what the last few years with the Free Jacks have meant to me. This club, this city, and every person who has been part of this journey has shaped me in ways I’ll carry for the rest of my life. As I move into a new chapter, I want to take a moment to share my gratitude and acknowledge the people who made this experience truly unforgettable.
To all our coaches and to Mags – thank you for taking a gamble on a young man who was never given a proper chance. Not just in me, but so many of us. You helped shape my career and I am forever grateful for you!
To the medical and S&C staff – you literally revived a career that I once thought might be over. Thank you for your continuous effort, patience, and awesome yarns. You made it fun to come to work with about a hundred screws in my body.
To the rest of the staff at the Free Jacks — this organisation wouldn’t be where it is today if it weren’t for you. The work you do is immense. Thank you for all your hard work and for making us feel so seen!
TK — I have never met anyone so selfless and so willing to go the extra mile. You’re always ready to go out of your way just to accommodate us. You have built this club from the ground up into one of the most successful clubs in the United States and to bring me across to help aid that, has been a huge honour. Thank you for being such an incredible GM, and above all, an exceptional human being.
To the fans: We would not exist if it weren’t for your constant support and loud cheers all over the country. Your passion and ruthlessness (in the best way) carried us through every season, and our achievements on-field is a reflection thereof. Fort Quincy truly feels like a sacred place and I hope to return to Boston one day with rugby competing with some of the top American sports, as it should. Personally, I have built some incredible friendships and it brought me so much joy to see smiles on faces or hear that someone watched their first rugby match at Veterans Memorial. Your support in my own personal rugby career has made me feel so loved so far from home, especially through my ankle dislocation. I feel so lucky to have been able to contribute to the growth of rugby in New England. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Lastly, to all my teammates – thank you so much for always having my back and trusting me week in and week out to have yours. We had some fucking incredible times and went through so much together. People often speak of brotherhood, but few ever get to feel it the way we did.Thanks for having me lean on you and I can’t wait to catch up with you down the line. Also long reign the mighty GMB.
It genuinely feels like I came to Boston as a boy and left as a man. My time in New England shaped not only the person I am today, but also the values and beliefs I hold close. I believe in the power of kindness, love, and respect — and throughout my time at the Free Jacks, I received all of that in abundance.
From Free Jack #57, Huzzah!
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