Serbia national rugby union team explained

Badge:Ragbi savez Srbije logo.jpg
Badge Size:150px
Captain:Aleksandar DJordjevic
Coach:Michel Milovic
Caps:Marko Kapor (50)
Top Scorer:Marko Kapor (209)
Leftarm1:000099
Body1:FF0000
Rightarm1:FF0000
Shorts1:000099
Socks1:FFFFFF
World Rugby Rank:80
World Rugby Rank Date:16 January 2023
First Game: 8–3 British Colonies
(9 March 1918)
Largest Win: 62–0
(8 October 2022)
Largest Loss: 108–0
(12 November 2005)
World Cup Apps:none
World Rugby Min:88
World Rugby Min Date:23 November 2020

The Serbia national rugby union team is classified as a tier three nation by World Rugby, and has yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup. They have played over 100 internationals.

The national side is ranked 80th in the world, as of 16 January 2023.[1]

History

See main article: Rugby union in Serbia.

The first known rugby players from Serbia were Serbian students in George Heriot's School in Edinburgh, Scotland during The First World War. On March, 9th 1918 they played their first unofficial international game, in front of 10,000 spectators, against a British Dominions VII and won by eight points to three.[2] Notable players from this period included Toma Tomić from Leskovac, Dimitrije Dulkanović from Ćuprija and Danilo Pavlović from Prokuplje. Serbian students also played rugby at the High School of Dundee and Hillhead High School in Glasgow. The best Serbian player in Scotland was Slavoljub DJordjevic from Čajetina. He played more than 100 games for Hillhead HS, Glasgow University RFC and Hillhead RFC in Scotland rugby top competitions.

Serbia played as a part of Yugoslavia since 1919 until 1992, then as FR Yugoslavia until 2003, and, finally, as Serbia and Montenegro from 2003 to 2006. Yugoslavia made their official international debut in 1968 against a Romanian XV, losing 3 points to 11. They made their full test debut the following month, losing 6 points to 29 against Bulgaria. They won their first official international match in 1969, defeating Bulgaria 22 points to six.

During the 60s, 70s and 80s, Serbian players played for the Yugoslavia national rugby union team alongside players from the rest of Yugoslavia. After the wars and breakup of Yugoslavia, the Yugoslavia team consisted of players from Serbia only, and they played their first full international against at Vršac in 1996.

After 1996, playing as FR Yugoslavia and Serbia and Montenegro until 2006, they have played regularly in FIRA-AER and IRB competitions.

Current squad

Starting line-up for the 2023-24 Rugby Europe Conference match against Moldova.

Player Position Caps Club
Igor Marinković DSV 78 Hannover
Uroš Jončić Rugby Club Rad
Dragan Matijević Roundhegians RFC
Relja Pećanac Rugby Club Rad
Stefan Ivković Rugby Club Krusevac
Kiprijan Đorić RC Donau
Alen Ćosović Rugby Club Rad
Danijel Stojanovic Rugby Club Rad
Janko Zemun Milinković AS Rugby Bergamo 1950
Aleksandar Đorđević Belgrade Rugby Club Red Star
Dragan Kokanović Belgrade Rugby Club Red Star
Julijen Matijašević Sporting Club Tulle Corrèze
Nikola Stanković Rugby Club Rad
Nemanja Stošić Rugby Club Rad
Igor Dejanović Rugby Club Partizan
Vladimir Janićijević Rugby Club Vojvodina
Milan Trujkić Rugby Club Rad
Uroš Jevđenijević Rugby Club Rad
Stefan Simović Rugby Club Partizan
Stanislav Ljubičić Rugby Club Rad
Ivan Nikolić Rugby Club Dorćol 1998
Nemanja Lazić Rugby Club Krusevac
Petar Pavlović Rugby Club Dorćol 1998

Results

As the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (1996–2002)

DateLocationOppositionResultTournament
1996-05-04Vršac30–12 1995–1997 FIRA Trophy
1996-05-18Gabrovo39–9 1995–1997 FIRA Trophy
1996-10-06Kyiv0–60 1999 Rugby World Cup - European qualification
1996-11-02ViennaDefault 1999 Rugby World Cup - European qualification
1997-03-01Pančevo8–0 1999 Rugby World Cup - European qualification
1997-05-10Pančevo10–7 1999 Rugby World Cup - European qualification
1997-11-08Nyon13–29 1997–1998 FIRA Tournament
1998-04-25Belgrade30–6 1997–1998 FIRA Tournament
1998-05-20Belgrade44–0 1997–1998 FIRA Tournament
1998-06-02RigaDefault 1997–1998 FIRA Tournament
1998-10-10Brussels6–12 1998–1999 FIRA Tournament
1999-05-08Tunis6–45 1998–1999 FIRA Tournament
2000-04-02Belgrade17–3 European Nations Cup Fourth Division 2000
2000-04-30Pernik33–6 European Nations Cup Fourth Division 2000
2000-05-13Herzlia17–3 European Nations Cup Fourth Division 2000
2000-10-14Andorra la Vella9–12 2003 Rugby World Cup – European qualification
2000-11-05Dimitrovgrad46–6 2003 Rugby World Cup – European qualification
2001-03-31Dimitrovgrad25–102003 Rugby World Cup – European qualification
2001-05-12Zenica13–23 2003 Rugby World Cup – European qualification
2001-05-26Gornji Milanovac13–10 2003 Rugby World Cup – European qualification
2001-10-20Chişinău16–36 2001–2002 European Nations Cup Third Division
2002-04-06Belgrade26–8 2001–2002 European Nations Cup Third Division
2002-05-04Andorra La Vella19–52001–2002 European Nations Cup Third Division
2002-05-11Belgrade27–21 2001–2002 European Nations Cup Third Division

As Serbia and Montenegro (2003–2006)

DateLocationOppositionResultTournament
2003-04-26Esztergom23–47 2002–2003 European Nations Cup Third Division
2003-05-03Belgrade18–29 2002–2003 European Nations Cup Third Division
2003-05-24Chişinău17–17 2002–2003 European Nations Cup Third Division
2004-04-10Subotica31–3 2003–2004 European Nations Cup Third Division
2004-04-17Marsa18–20 2003–2004 European Nations Cup Third Division
2004-05-08Pančevo20–43 2003–2004 European Nations Cup Third Division
2004-11-13Belgrade33–10 2007 Rugby World Cup – Europe qualification
2005-03-19Belgrade11–11 2007 Rugby World Cup – Europe qualification
2005-04-09Valletta24–13 2007 Rugby World Cup – Europe qualification
2005-05-07Łódź11–18 2007 Rugby World Cup – Europe qualification
2005-10-08Split9–26 2007 Rugby World Cup – Europe qualification
2005-11-05Pančevo3–16 2007 Rugby World Cup – Europe qualification
2005-11-12Heidelberg0–108 2007 Rugby World Cup – Europe qualification
2006-04-08Lazarevac15–36 2007 Rugby World Cup – Europe qualification

As Serbia (2006–)

DateLocationOppositionResultTournament
2006-10-07Nyon9–30 2006–2008 European Nations Cup Third Division
2006-11-04Belgrade34–23 2006–2008 European Nations Cup Third Division
2007-04-14Pančevo12–30 2006–2008 European Nations Cup Third Division
2007-10-27Odense17–17 2006–2008 European Nations Cup Third Division
2007-11-24Pančevo5–13 2006–2008 European Nations Cup Third Division
2008-04-26Lund3–22 2006–2008 European Nations Cup Third Division
2008-05-10Yerevan0–25 2006–2008 European Nations Cup Third Division
2008-05-25Belgrade19–8 2006–2008 European Nations Cup Third Division
2008-09-13Smederevo0–41 2008–2010 European Nations Cup Third Division
2008-12-06Smederevo32–7 2008–2010 European Nations Cup Third Division
2009-04-04Nyon12–6 2008–2010 European Nations Cup Third Division
2009-05-02Vilnius9–50 2008–2010 European Nations Cup Third Division
2009-10-24Belgrade13–8 2008–2010 European Nations Cup Third Division
2009-11-28Andorra La Vella7–21 2008–2010 European Nations Cup Third Division
2010-04-10Abovian19–20 2008–2010 European Nations Cup Third Division
2010-04-24Pančevo5–77 2008–2010 European Nations Cup Third Division
2010-10-23Ljubljana3–33 2010–2012 European Nations Cup Second Division
2010-11-20Belgrade18–15 2010–2012 European Nations Cup Second Division
2011-02-19Andorra La Vella25–42 2010–2012 European Nations Cup Second Division
2011-05-07Belgrade20–18 2010–2012 European Nations Cup Second Division
2011-10-29Belgrade52–0 2010–2012 European Nations Cup Second Division
2011-11-12Monthey19–27 2010–2012 European Nations Cup Second Division
2012-04-14Belgrade7–9 2010–2012 European Nations Cup Second Division
2012-04-2125–0 2010–2012 European Nations Cup Second Division
2012-10-13Netanya22–48 2012–2014 European Nations Cup Second Division
2012-10-27Belgrade39–22 2012–2014 European Nations Cup Second Division
2012-11-03Belgrade26–29 2012–2014 European Nations Cup Second Division
2013-04-13Odense0–38 2012–2014 European Nations Cup Second Division
2013-10-12Valmiera14–25 2012–2014 European Nations Cup Second Division
2013-10-19Belgrade6–18 2012–2014 European Nations Cup Second Division
2014-03-30Andorra La Vella12–23 2012–2014 European Nations Cup Second Division
2014-04-12Belgrade19–33 2012–2014 European Nations Cup Second Division
2014-10-18Ljubljana3–48 2014–16 European Nations Cup Second Division
2014-10-25Belgrade0–36 2014–16 European Nations Cup Second Division
2015-04-18Belgrade22–3 2014–16 European Nations Cup Second Division
2015-04-25Odense25–22 2014–16 European Nations Cup Second Division
2015-11-07Belgrade17–33 2014–16 European Nations Cup Second Division
2015-11-14Luxembourg24–30 2014–16 European Nations Cup Second Division
2016-04-09Vienna26–12 2014–16 European Nations Cup Second Division
2016-04-16Belgrade23–20 2014–16 European Nations Cup Second Division
2016-10-29Ljubljana13–74 2016–17 Rugby Europe International Championships
2016-11-05Zrenjanin25–0 2016–17 Rugby Europe International Championships
2017-04-09Zenica10–21 2016–17 Rugby Europe International Championships
2017-04-29Belgrade29–12 2016–17 Rugby Europe International Championships
2017-10-21Vienna25–27 2017–18 Rugby Europe International Championships
2017-10-28Pancevo21–30 2017–18 Rugby Europe International Championships
2018-04-21Piestany50–24 2017–18 Rugby Europe International Championships
2018-04-28Belgrade35–17 2017–18 Rugby Europe International Championships
2018-10-13Belgrade29–35 2018–19 Rugby Europe International Championships
2018-11-10Piestany37–10 2018–19 Rugby Europe International Championships
2019-05-11Pancevo35–27 2018–19 Rugby Europe International Championships
2019-05-18Andorra La Vella0–33 2018–19 Rugby Europe International Championships
2019-10-12Sofia7–71 2019–20 Rugby Europe International Championships
2019-10-19Belgrade30–15 2019–20 Rugby Europe International Championships
2021-10-16Sofia11–14 2021–22 Rugby Europe International Championships
2021-10-23Pancevo37–14 2021–22 Rugby Europe International Championships
2022-04-16Pancevo24–18 2021–22 Rugby Europe International Championships
2022-05-07Zenica38–19 2021–22 Rugby Europe International Championships
2022-10-08Belgrade62–0 2022–23 Rugby Europe International Championships
2022-10-15Trabzon23–6 2022–23 Rugby Europe International Championships
2023-04-13Zenica40–12 2022–23 Rugby Europe International Championships
2023-10-07Chişinău11–31 2023–24 Rugby Europe International Championships
2023-04-13Pancevo22–31 2023–24 Rugby Europe International Championships
2023-04-20Sofia7–30 2023–24 Rugby Europe International Championships

Overall

Below is table of the representative rugby matches played by the Serbia national XV at test level up until 20 April 2024:

NationGamesWonLostDrawnPercentage of wins
11 4 7 0 %
6 3 3 0 %
6 4 2 0 %
2 0 2 0 0%
4 2 2 0 %
8 4 4 0 %
1 0 1 0 0%
1 1 0 0 %
6 3 2 1 %
1 0 1 0 0%
3 2 1 0 %
5 3 2 0 %
3 1 2 0 %
3 1 2 0 %
2 0 2 0 0%
3 1 2 0 %
5 1 3 1 %
1 1 0 0 %
1 0 1 0 0%
2 2 0 0 %
8 3 5 0 %
2 0 2 0 0%
10 5 4 1 %
1 0 1 0 0%
5 4 1 0 %
1 0 1 0 0%
Total10245543%

Player records

Most caps

width=50pxNameYearswidth=50pxCapswidth=150pxPosition
1Marko Kapor1999–201950Fly-half
2Vladimir DJukic2008–43Prop
3Nikola Stancevic1973–199045Flanker
4Milan Rastovac1997–201345Centre
5Nenad Matejic2002–201942Fullback
6Igor Dejanovic2007–202441Fullback
6Aleksandar DJordjevic2008–202441Centre
8Dragan Grujic1988–200639Fullback
8Boris Martic2005–202339Flanker
10Miladin Zivanov2006–202337Centre

Last updated: Bulgaria vs Serbia, 20 April 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Top point scorers

width=50pxNameCareerwidth=50pxPointswidth=50pxCapswidth=150pxPosition
1Marko Kapor1999–20950Fly-half
2Vladimir Jelic1996–201410314Fly-half
3Boris Martic2005–10339Flanker
4Dragan Grujic1988–20069839Full-back
5Marko Gvozdenovic2015–908Flanker
6Milan Orlovic2007–20147524Centre
7Nenad Matejic2002–20147142Full-back
8Nikola Stankovic2018–6413Fly Half
9Milan Rastovac1997–20135545Centre
10Igor Dejanovic2007–20244241Fullback

Youngest players

PlayerPosAgeOppositionDate
1. Stefan Jerkovic17 years 10 months 28 days 2016-10-29
2. Srdjan Bozic17 years 11 months 21 days 2018-11-10
3. Ivan Pirkovic18 years 1 month 12 days 2007-04-14
4. Aleksandar Jakisic18 years 2 months 3 days 1991-04-21
5. Milan Rastovac 18 years 2 months 4 days 1997-05-10
6. Ivan Biocanin18 years 2 months 25 days 1997-11-08
7. Marko Isailovic18 years 3 months 3 days 2014-10-25
7. 18 years 3 months 3 days 2009-11-28
9. Janko Zemun Milinkovic18 years 3 months 28 days 2017-04-22
10. Dalibor Vukanovic18 years 4 months 6 days 2004-11-13

Last updated: Bulgaria vs Serbia, 20 April 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

Oldest players

PlayerPosAgeOppositionDate
1. Srdjan NikolicTighthead Prop43 years 1 month 2 days 2019-10-12
2. Vladimir Jelic41 years 9 months 12 days 2014-10-25
3. Ivan Rodic41 years 0 months 30 days 2024-04-20
4. Milan Medic40 years 9 months 4 days 1997-11-08
5. Sasa DJukic40 years 4 month 23 days 2011-02-19
6. Branislav Acimovic39 years 10 months 22 days 2008-12-06
7. Dragan Grujic39 years 9 months 7 days 2006-04-08
8. Dejan KaratrajkovskiScrum-half39 years 5 months 6 days 2015-04-25
9. Nikola Stancevic39 years 4 months 25 days 1990-05-26
10. Bojan Lukic39 years 3 months 10 days 2019-10-12

Last updated: Bulgaria vs Serbia, 20 April 2024. Statistics include officially capped matches only.

World Cup record

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Men's Rankings | World Rugby.
  2. http://rugbyserbia.com/srbija-istorijat/ Ragbi Savez Srbije – Istorija