For Sanlam Boland Cavaliers loosehead prop Wayrin Losper, Sunday’s Carling Currie Cup Premier Division match against the Fidelity ADT Lions at the Boland Rugby Stadium in Wellington will be extra special as this will be the 50th time he plays for the Cavaliers.
The 31-year-old has become a respected figure in the Boland front row since making his debut in 2019. Known for his uncompromising, no-nonsense approach, Losper, who hails from Eersterivier, a suburb on the eastern side of Cape Town, has carved out a remarkable journey in rugby that combines perseverance, discipline and purpose.
His rugby career began in the FNB Varsity Shield with UWC in 2016 after matriculating from President High School in Goodwood. He then moved on to the UCT Ikey Tigers in the FNB Varsity Cup (2017–2018) before capping off his Varsity journey by winning the Varsity Cup with Maties in 2019, under the leadership of his current head coach at Boland, Hawies Fourie.
In 2023, Losper spent a season abroad with Mogliano Rugby in Italy’s top-tier domestic competition, further honing his skills and gaining valuable international experience.
But his achievements extend far beyond the rugby field. He is undoubtedly one of South African rugby’s most educated front rowers, holding a BA degree in Psychology from UWC and a second degree in Sports and Project Management from UCT. He was in the process of completing his postgraduate degree in Education at Stellenbosch University when the chance came to join the Cavaliers in 2019 as a professional.
“It’s obviously a great honour for me to play my 50th game for the Sanlam Boland Cavaliers,” says Losper. “I’ve been part of the Cavaliers setup since 2019 and it’s always been my dream to play professional rugby. Reaching this milestone feels like I’ve truly lived out that dream. To be honest, it doesn’t get much better than this.”
His teammates affectionately know Losper as “Maori”, a nickname that reflects his rugged playing style and references his apparent semblance to the indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand. Off the field, he is a devoted family man who is married to Kelly, with whom he shares a baby boy, Logan.
He continues to draw inspiration from world-class loosehead props Ox Nchéand the now-retired Steven Kitshoff, both of whom he admires for their work ethic and technical excellence.
To young players, Losper offers this piece of wisdom: “It doesn’t matter if you make Craven Week or not. I didn’t play provincial rugby at school. My break only came later through [the] Varsity Cup. Sometimes the road won’t be straightforward. But if you believe in yourself, work hard and chase your dream relentlessly, anything is possible.”
With 50 appearances and a compelling life story behind him, Wayrin Losper represents the best of what modern rugby can offer – an educated athlete, a family man and a warrior in the trenches.