AG Signs USA Eagles Scrumhalf Ruben De Haas

AUSTIN, TX (May 13, 2021) AG Rugby is elated to announce the signing of USA Eagles scrumhalf Ruben De Haas. De Haas is considered the best American scrumhalf in rugby at the moment and looks forward to helping the AGs lift the MLR Shield.

“I’m excited to meet the boys, get to work, and contribute to the team the best I can,” says De Haas. “Who knows, maybe we can go all the way, that will be the goal.”

At only 22 years old, De Haas already has 17 caps for the United States; including a World Cup selection in 2019. He is the prohibitive favorite to be the Eagles’ starting scrum-half this World Cup cycle. De Haas looks forward to getting back on the pitch not only for his MLR debut but to sharpen his game ahead of several national team matches in the scheduling process for this coming summer.

“We got a bit fortunate in the timing of signing Ruben because his window opened up for us so we could bring him in and we’re looking forward to seeing how he can lift our team while he’s here in Austin,” says AG Head Coach Sam Harris. “We feel really strong with where our scrumhalf unit is at the moment and adding Ruben now is going to just add more of that competitive fire and unique perspectives you want in that crucial group.”

De Haas was drawn to the AGs because of the club’s proximity to his home in Arkansas and by a couple of his USA Eagles teammates, Will Magie and Bryce Campbell. The young scrumhalf watched every AG game while in South Africa and “enjoyed the way the guys played and stuck it out for each other for the full 80 minutes.”

De Haas has played the last three seasons professionally for the Cheetahs in Free State, South Africa. His last match was a start for the Cheetahs against the EP Elephants on March 28th.

This February, De Haas signed a two-year deal with the Saracens and will join the club this summer.

Welcome to the AGs, Ruben De Haas!