
Hounds Add South African Hooker Janus Venter
CHICAGO, I.L.- The Chicago Hounds announced today the addition of South African hooker Janus Venter for the 2024 Major League Rugby season.
Venter, 24 years old, makes the move to Major League Rugby after cutting his teeth with the Free State Cheetahs, competing in the Currie Cup competition. The 6-foot-1, 231-pound hooker joined the Cheetahs’ camp ahead of the 2018-2019 season. He made his first appearance for the club during the 2021 campaign.
During the 2023 season, Venter appeared in two contests for the Cheetahs and played 89 minutes. He carried the ball four times and managed to cross the gain line on three of those carries, gaining 33 meters (8.25 meters-per-carry) on the limited touches. Defensively, he completed 12 of his 15 tackle attempts. Venter finished the season with a try, highlighting his scoring ability that was previously shown in Varsity Cup action.
During the 2021 Varsity Cup campaign, Venter made a name for himself due to his try-scoring ability. Competing with the Central University of Technology (CUT) Ixias, the hooker broke the single season try record by dotting down an astonishing 12 times. Many of those tries originated from Venter’s ability to operate the lineout, consistently delivering clean balls and then operating the maul close to the try line. However, his strong play in the loose was also put on display multiple times throughout the season and his finishing ability should add versatility to the Hounds’ forward pack.
Chicago Hounds fans can see Venter and the rest of the new-look squad during the 2024 season through buying season tickets for the upcoming Major League Rugby season. Fans can purchase their season ticket packages here.
Roster to Date:
To date, the Chicago Hounds have signed the following players for the 2024 Major League Rugby season:
- Nick McCarthy, scrumhalf
- Ben Landry, lock/flanker
- Dave Kearney, wing
- Bryce Campbell, center*
- Zurabi Zhvania, prop
- Billy Meakes, center*
- Julian Dominguez, wing*
- George Merrick, lock
- Tinashe Muchena, back row*
- Adriaan Carelse, fullback
- Mika Felix, prop*
- Jason Higgins, scrumhalf (via trade with San Diego)
- Justice Nkombua, flanker*
- Paddy Ryan, prop*
- Mark O’Keeffe, center*
- Janus Venter, hooker
Star denotes a re-signed player.
Recent Posts
Eastern Conference Final Roster Revealed
CHICAGO, Il.- Chicago Head Coach Chris Latham named his roster for the
Chicago vs New England: At a Glance
Two of the best defenses in Major League Rugby face off on
2025 Eastern Conference Final Matchup Locked In
The stage is set. The Chicago Hounds will take on the New
Second Half Shut-Out Propels Hounds to Eastern Conference Finals
CHICAGO, Il.- The Chicago Hounds advanced to the 2025 Eastern Conference Finals
Hounds Name Roster for Eastern Conference Semi-Finals Battle
CHICAGO, Il.- With the Chicago Hounds’ first home playoff game just 48
Archives
- June 2025 (8)
- May 2025 (7)
- April 2025 (10)
- March 2025 (6)
- February 2025 (10)
- January 2025 (6)
- December 2024 (4)
- November 2024 (10)
- October 2024 (7)
- September 2024 (8)
- August 2024 (1)
- July 2024 (3)
- June 2024 (5)
- May 2024 (11)
- April 2024 (12)
- March 2024 (11)
- February 2024 (7)
- January 2024 (9)
- December 2023 (12)
- November 2023 (11)
- October 2023 (12)
- September 2023 (1)
- May 2023 (1)
- April 2023 (6)
- March 2023 (5)
- February 2023 (10)
- January 2023 (6)
- December 2022 (20)