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.