Vincent Koch Explained

Vincent Koch
Fullname:Vincent Philip Koch
Birth Date:13 March 1990
Birth Place:Empangeni, South Africa
Weight:1080NaN0
School:Grantham Park Primary School,
Huguenot High School
University:University of Pretoria
Relatives:Divan Koch
Position:Tighthead Prop
Currentclub:Sharks
Youthyears1:2006–2008
Youthyears2:2009–2010
Years1:2012
Apps1:3
Points1:5
Years2:2012–2016
Apps2:51
Points2:40
Years3:2015–2016
Apps3:33
Points3:35
Years4:2016–2022
Clubs4:Saracens
Apps4:110
Points4:50
Years5:2022
Clubs5:Wasps
Apps5:0
Points5:0
Years6:2022–2023
Clubs6:Stade Français
Apps6:12
Points6:0
Years7:2023–
Clubs7:Sharks
Apps7:8
Points7:10
Amatyears1:2011–2012
Amatapps1:10
Amatpoints1:0
Repyears1:2013
Repteam1:South Africa President's XV
Repcaps1:2
Reppoints1:0
Repyears2:2015
Repteam2:Springbok XV
Repcaps2:1
Reppoints2:0
Repyears3:2015–present
Repcaps3:50
Reppoints3:0
Repyears4:2016
Repteam4:South Africa 'A'
Repcaps4:1
Reppoints4:0
Clubupdate:27 October 2022
Repupdate:9 August 2022

Vincent Philip Koch (born 13 March 1990) is a South African professional rugby union player who currently plays for the Sharks in the United Rugby Championship and the South Africa national team.[1]

Club career

Koch regularly plays as a prop and has previously represented the, and the .

He joined the for the 2015 Super Rugby season, but returned to the Pumas for the Currie Cup.[2] [3]

In 2016 he joined English side Saracens.[4] During his time at Saracens he has won two Premiership titles in 2018 and 2019.[5] [6] He also helped Saracens win the European Champions Cup in 2017 and 2019.[7] [8]

On 9 December 2021, Koch announced he would leave Saracens after five seasons at the club to join Premiership rivals Wasps on a long term deal ahead of the 2022-23 season.[9]

Wasps entered administration on 17 October 2022 and Koch was made redundant along with all other players and coaching staff.[10]

On 27 October 2022 it was confirmed that Koch had signed for French Top 14 side Stade Français.[11]

Koch joined the Sharks ahead of the 2023–24 United Rugby Championship, but did not make his debut until 23 March 2024, due to a knee injury sustained during the 2023 Rugby World Cup.[12]

Koch was named as Man of the Match for the 2023–24 EPCR Challenge Cup final, as the Sharks defeated Gloucester to claim the title.[13]

International career

In 2013, he was included in a South Africa President's XV team that played in the 2013 IRB Tbilisi Cup and won the tournament after winning all three matches.[14]

In 2016, Koch was included in a South Africa 'A' squad that played a two-match series against a touring England Saxons team. He was named in the starting line-up for their first match in Bloemfontein, but ended on the losing side as the visitors ran out 32–24 winners.

Koch was named in South Africa's squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.[15] South Africa won the tournament, defeating England in the final.[16]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Vincent Koch. Saracen F.C.. 31 January 2020.
  2. Web site: WP take another Bull to the Cape . SuperSport . 30 October 2014 . 30 October 2014.
  3. Web site: Leeus nooi nie Puma-sterre . SupaRugby . 31 October 2014 . 31 October 2014 . af.
  4. Web site: Saracens sign Vincent Koch and Sean Maitland. . 6 June 2016 . 11 October 2020.
  5. Web site: Premiership final: Exeter Chiefs 10-27 Saracens . . 26 May 2018 . 11 October 2020.
  6. Web site: Premiership final: Exeter Chiefs 34-37 Saracens. . 1 June 2019 . 11 October 2020.
  7. Web site: European Champions Cup: Saracens beat Clermont 28-17 to retain European title. . 13 May 2017 . 11 October 2020.
  8. Web site: Leinster 10-20 Saracens: English side win third Champions Cup in Newcastle. . 11 May 2019 . 11 October 2020.
  9. News: Vincent Koch: Wasps sign Saracens & South Africa prop for start of next season. BBC Sport. 9 December 2021. 15 December 2021.
  10. Web site: Bridge . Bobby . 2022-10-17 . Wasps' administration confirmed as 167 employees made redundant . 2022-10-20 . CoventryLive . en.
  11. Web site: Koch and Odogwu become the latest Wasps players to get a new club . 2022-10-27 . amp.rugbypass.com . en.
  12. Web site: 2024-03-22 . Sharks debut for Koch . 2024-05-25 . SA Rugby magazine . en-US.
  13. Web site: 2024-05-25 . Sharks scrum beast on ‘special’ win . 2024-05-25 . SA Rugby magazine . en-US.
  14. Web site: SA President's XV win Tbilisi Cup . IRB . 16 June 2013 . 17 June 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130619064230/http://www.irb.com/newsmedia/regional/newsid%3D2067589.html . 19 June 2013 . dead . dmy-all .
  15. Web site: South Africa World Cup squad: Siya Kolisi wins fitness battle, Eben Etzebeth backed, Aphiwe Dyantyi dropped . https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220817/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/international/rugby-world-cup-2019-south-africa-squad-full-list-schedule-latest-players-confirmed-a9079626.html . 17 August 2022 . subscription . live . 26 August 2019 . Independent . 3 November 2019.
  16. Web site: England 12-32 South Africa: Springboks win World Cup for record-equalling third time . 2 November 2019 . BBC . 3 November 2019.