Breyton Paulse: The rugby star's personal life and career explored
Breyton Paulse made hat trick history with his outstanding performances when debuting for the Stormers and the Springboks, respectively. Having retired in 2007, this article celebrates Paulse's career as a rugby fullback and gives insight into his latest hobby. Also, learn more about his childhood on a small farm in Cape Town and his failed wedding.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Breyton Paulse's profile summary
- Breyton Paulse's biography
- How old is Breyton Paulse?
- Where did Breyton Paulse grow up?
- Breyton Paulse's family
- How did Breyton Paulse's mother die?
- Breyton Paulse's educational background
- Breyton Paulse's career history
- Breyton Paulse and Hailey Lesch's canceled wedding
- Is Breyton Paulse still married?
- What happened with Breyton Paulse's house?
- Who is Breyton Paulse's new wife?
- Was Breyton Paulse involved in De Wet's murder?
- What is Breyton Paulse's net worth?
- Facts about Breyton Paulse
- Paulse did not have the easiest of times growing up in South Africa during the apartheid era.
- The mixed-race athlete also struggled to be accepted into predominantly white rugby teams.
- He became a national treasure the entire time he played for the South African national rugby team, the Springboks, from 1999 to 2007.
- Paulse also played on the wing of Springboks in the 2003 and 2007 Rugby World Cup before his retirement.
Breyton Paulse's profile summary
| Full name | Breyton Paulse |
| Nickname | Bretjie |
| Gender | Male |
| Birthdate | 25 April 1976 |
| Age | 48 years (as of January 2025) |
| Zodiac | Taurus |
| Birthplace | Koue Bokkeveld, Western Cape, South Africa |
| Residence | Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Ethnicity | Mixed race |
| Eye color | Brown |
| Hair color | Brown |
| Height | 1.78 meters (5't10") |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Mother | Setta Visagie |
| Marital status | Unmarried |
| Former fiancée | Hailey Lesch |
| High school | Skurweberg Secondary School |
| University | Stellenbosch University |
| Occupation | Professional athlete |
| @breyty |
Breyton Paulse's biography
Breyton grew up in a family that loved rugby. As a result, he became passionate about the sport from a young age but never once thought he would ever play for the Springboks. During a brief 2006 question-and-answer interview with News24, he said:
When I started walking I already had a ball in my hand. I grew up in a rugby-mad family. That's why I have such a great passion for the game.
His mum, Setta Visagie, and his mentor, Charl du Toit, encouraged him to chase his dreams. Breyton made his debut in the national squad in 1999, becoming one of the few non-white South Africans picked to play in the World Cup.
Additionally, Paulse scored 26 tries in 10 Tour matches and 64 Test games in his Springboks career. His last professional rugby match was at the age of 31 when South Africa played against New Zealand in 2007.
Source: Original
How old is Breyton Paulse?
Born on 25 April 1976, in South Africa, Paulse is 48 years old (as of January 2025).
Where did Breyton Paulse grow up?
Breyton was born and raised on De Keur farm in Koue Bokkeveld in the Western Cape and is proud of his background. He told News24:
I am still the farmboy from the Koue Bokkeveld. I didn't just turn into a city boy. I come from the farm and still do things the way people on the farm do.
Breyton Paulse's family
His parents worked on the De Keur farm in Koue Bokkeveld near Ceres. Although Breyton Paulse's father remains unknown he influenced his love for rugby.
Paulse once said rugby was "in his blood" and it was also a bit of a family tradition. He told AFP:
My father was a rugby player, my grandfather was a rugby player. I grew up in a rugby family. Rugby was always in my blood.
How did Breyton Paulse's mother die?
In July 2022, Breyton Paulse's mother, Setta Visagie (65), and his aunt, Marie Galant (63), drowned while on holiday at the Old Harbor in Hermanus in the Western Cape.
The two sisters were taking photos when they were swept away. They were recovered onto the NSRI rescue craft where the paramedics commenced CPR.
Marie and Setta were taken to the NSRI rescue station where CPR was continued. The two were later declared dead by paramedics.
Source: UGC
Breyton Paulse's educational background
He attended Skurweberg Secondary School, where he was the head boy. Paulse also participated in many sports, including cricket, athletics, soccer, and rugby in school. Passing Matric is one of his greatest days ever. He told the Sarugbymag:
It was my ticket to a better life, having grown up while sometimes not knowing where the next meal would come from. The day I got my matric results was one of the highlights of my life.
After high school, Breyton attended Stellenbosch University, which is known for producing many Springboks rugby players. One of the owners of the De Keur estate, Charl du Toit, recognized his talent for rugby, and to nurture it, paid his university tuition fees.
The estate also supported children of other employees who sought to pursue university education. Studying while playing for the Stellenbosch University rugby team, Maties U19A, was a life-changing opportunity for the future Springboks star.
Speaking to AFP about his experience at the institute, Paulse said:
I grew up on a farm far away from the city and I never experienced apartheid. When I went to Stellenbosch I never experienced it there. The guys just treated me as a teammate.
Breyton Paulse's career history
Paulse garnered attention almost from the start of his top-flight rugby career. Below is a summary of his journey as a professional player:
Breyton Paulse's try celebration
At his adult size of 1.78 meters and 80 kg (5’10,” 180 lbs.), Breyton was thought to be too small to play top-flight rugby. Although criticized for his size, he scored a hat trick of tries in his first appearance on the rugby field in the Currie Cup in 1996.
Source: UGC
Paulse performed the same feat in 1999 at his debut appearance with the Springboks against Italy, ending with another hat trick finish. By 7 August 2005, he had played with the Springboks in 54 matches and scored a total of 22 tries for his team.
Breyton proceeded to move overseas to France, where he played for Clermont Auvergne then returned to South Africa to join the Stormers in 2006. He strengthened his chances to once again don the Springboks colors.
Paulse was selected for the national squad that was present at the 2003 Rugby World Cup finals but was only selected to the 2007 Rugby World Cup finals, as a reserve player.
On his retirement from the national side, Breyton had put in 64 tests and 10 tour matches for the Springboks and scored 26 tries. His last appearance in the green and gold was against New Zealand at Christchurch in 2007 at the age of 31.
What position did Breyton Paulse play?
Paulse predominantly played winger/fullback for Springboks from 1999 to 2007.
How fast was Breyton Paulse?
Breyton is considered one of the world's fastest rugby players with a staggering 99 speed rating. During his youth, he represented Boland in the 200-meter and 400-meter sprints, recognizing his tremendous speed.
What does Breyton Paulse do now?
The former Springboks player has become a sports commentator and TV presenter after retiring from rugby. He also took up mountain biking for entertainment and to keep fit. He competed in the ABSA Cape Epic in 2009, the African Mountain Bike Race, and the Momentum Health Tankwa Trek in 2019.
Linus van Onselen and Johan Coetzee have been his regular cycling partners. Breyton and Johan's favorite race, the Tankwa Trek, was canceled for 2021 due to COVID regulations.
Source: UGC
In May 2024, Paulse contested on Masked Singer South Africa as Monster. He enjoyed his time on the show and had everyone fooled underneath Monster’s mask. Breyton also complimented everybody working behind the scenes.
Breyton Paulse and Hailey Lesch's canceled wedding
Hailey Lesch was due to become Breyton Paulse's wife on 16 December 2004 at the Zevenwacht Wine Estate in Kuilsriver, Cape Town, but the wedding never happened.
While Lesch clearly stated that they separated for "personal and professional reasons," wild speculations explaining why the two broke up were circulated by the media, with no definitive proof.
Media reports claimed that Paulse got cold feet and jetted off to Namibia after breaking off the engagement. It was also said that Hailey was heartbroken and in deep financial trouble after buying an expensive gown and incurring other costs, on Paulse's insistence, while organizing the wedding.
Paulse had been away for a month during the Rugby World Cup tournament and Lesch had struggled to plan the wedding on her own.
Some reports said that the then-23-year-old teacher had paid R15,000 for her dream gown, for which she was reimbursed, while others claimed a top South African designer wanted to sue her for the R15,000 she failed to pay for her wedding dress.
Breyton Paulse's partner denied reports that he had broken off the engagement saying she decided to postpone the wedding. According to a post shared by News24 in January 2004, Hailey Lesch said:
I can also confirm that Breyton did not run away and that he had also ensured that all costs that were incurred up until I called the wedding off, have been settled.
Breyton Paulse's family members reportedly told Kaapse Son that Hailey was not as innocent and that Paulse had every reason to get rid of her.
Source: UGC
A story also emerged that she broke three windows at his mother's house and threatened to do the same to his car. Breyton's mom confirmed this incident to Kaapse Son but refused to comment further.
A friend of the couple insisted they were still very much in love and another friend said:
They're fine, they're talking and everything is fine.
Is Breyton Paulse still married?
Breyton Paulse and Hailey Lesch's wedding never happened on 16 December, which is coincidentally a public holiday known as the Day of Reconciliation, and there has never been any mention of them setting a new wedding date since then.
What happened with Breyton Paulse's house?
Reports claimed Breyton and his fiancée Hailey Lesch purchased an R1.4 million home in the plush suburb of Welgemoed before their wedding. Details of what happened to the house after their canceled wedding are unknown.
Who is Breyton Paulse's new wife?
The former Springboks player is believed to be unmarried, and it is unknown whether he is dating anyone. Additionally, as of January 2024, there is no news about Breyton Paulse's kids. He has kept his love life private since his wedding with Hailey Lesch was canceled in 2004.
Was Breyton Paulse involved in De Wet's murder?
Paulse was not linked to De Wet's murder but was subpoenaed to testify for the state as De Wet's wife, Petroleen, and another suspect, Ivan Benting, stood trial for the murder.
Deon de Wet, a wealthy businessman from Johannesdal, was shot in his bedroom on 1 May 2000 while sleeping. Breyton had visited Deon's home on that fateful night.
Paulse had allegedly spent the night at Deon's home several times because he was good friends with Mrs. De Wet.
Source: UGC
What is Breyton Paulse's net worth?
It is challenging to estimate his net worth. The public knows nothing about his wealth because Breyton keeps his financial status private.
Facts about Breyton Paulse
- His favorite books include the Bible, Nelson Mandela's autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, and Chris Froome’s autobiography, The Climb.
- Earth, Wind & Fire, and the Bee Gees are his favorite music bands.
- He is a big fan of Michael Jackson.
- He loves football and is a big fan of Barcelona, Team Sky, and Team Europe.
- He fancies rugby player Jonah Lomu, golfer Tiger Woods, and footballer Diego Maradona.
- New York, Brisbane, and Buenos Aires are some of the best cities he has been to.
- He would have become a teacher, tractor driver, or policeman if he didn't become an athlete.
- He wished he could meet Nelson Mandela, Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton, and Barrack Obama.
Breyton Paulse proved that someone's body size cannot be an obstacle in his dreams. The "small-build" rugby star was a force to be reckoned with on the field. South African acknowledges his contribution to the country's rugby sport and wishes him all the best in his new adventures.
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Peris Walubengo (Lifestyle writer) Peris Walubengo is a content creator with 5 years of experience writing articles, researching, editing, and proofreading. She has a Bachelor of Commerce & IT from the University of Nairobi and joined Briefly.co.za in November 2019. The writer completed a Google News Initiate Course. She covers bios, marketing & finance, tech, fashion & beauty, recipes, movies & gaming reviews, culture & travel. You can email her at perisrodah254@gmail.com.
Levana Chester-Londt Levana started writing about art history in 2009 at the University of Johannesburg, where she obtained her Bachelor's Degree in Fine Art. She now writes about a range of topics, including news, lifestyle hacks, anime, celebrities and more. You will usually find a paintbrush in her hand during her spare time as she creates artworks for Levana Jane Studios.
