Meet Neethling Fouché: the tighthead prop anchoring the Stormers' scrum
Neethling Fouché is a talented South African rugby union player known for his relentless passion for the sport. The Rustenburg native plays tighthead prop for the Stormers, and the position has made him a powerful force in South African rugby.
In life you have to go to places that make you uncomfortable because that’s where you grow.
Source: Instagram
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Neethling Fouché, 32 years old, was born on January 10, 1993, in Rustenburg, South Africa.
- Fouché started his professional rugby career with the Blue Bulls but currently plays for the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship.
- He is married to Janca Fouché, and they have two children, Lente and Jan-Hendrik Pelser Fouché.
- He made his Springbok debut in 2025 against the Barbarians in a non-test match.
Neethling Fouché's profile summary
| Full name | Johann Neethling Fouché |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | January 10, 1993 |
| Age | 32 years old (as of 2025) |
| Place of birth | Rustenburg, South Africa |
| Current residence | Nooitgedacht Village, Stellenbosch, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Ethnicity | Afrikaner |
| Height | 6 feet 2 inches |
| Weight | 120 kg (approx) |
| Parents | Janna Fouché (father)Frankie Fouché (mother) |
| Relationship status | Married |
| Wife | Janca Fouché |
| Children | Lente and Jan-Hendrik Pelser Fouché |
| Education | Grey College |
| Profession | Professional rugby player |
| Social media | InstagramX (Twitter) |
Exploring Neethling Fouché's age and early life
Neethling, whose full name is Johann Neethling Fouché (32 years old as of 2025), was born in Rustenburg, South Africa, on January 10, 1993. In an interview with South African Rugby Magazine, Fouché talked about his experience growing up. He said,
My parents never had a lot, but they always helped. Whenever kids in my school couldn’t afford to go on some of the rugby tours, they helped out.
Source: Original
About Neethling Fouché's education
Neethling Fouché attended Grey College in Bloemfontein, renowned for its strong rugby tradition. While there, he represented the Free State in the Under-18 Craven Week tournaments in 2010 and 2011 and was also selected for a South African Under-18 High Performance squad.
A look at Neethling Fouché's rugby career
Neethling showed an early interest in rugby, participating in provincial youth rugby competitions from a young age. His initial provincial representation came at the primary school level when he played for the Leopards in the Under-13 Craven Week in 2006.
Blue Bulls
Neethling Fouché began his professional rugby career with the Blue Bulls, playing in their U19 and U21 teams. He also represented the University of Pretoria (UP Tuks) in the Varsity Cup before making his first-class debut in the Vodacom Cup in 2014.
Stormers
The talented rugby player joined the Stormers in 2018 in the position of a tighthead prop. In early 2025, he signed a three-year contract extension with the Stormers.
Neethling expressed his joy playing for the South African professional rugby union team. He said,
This team means the world to me, and I honestly don’t want to play my rugby anywhere else.
Source: Instagram
Springbok
Neethling Fouché made his Springbok debut in 2025 during a non-test match against the Barbarians at the DHL Stadium. He came on as a substitute shortly after halftime in what he described as a dream come true. He said,
You know, you watch the Springboks and dream of playing for them one day, I got to do it.
As one of South Africa's top athletes, Neethling also consistently represents Western Province in the Currie Cup, South Africa's premier domestic rugby competition. Fouché remains committed to improving and is seen as a vital player for South African rugby's present and future, including plans for the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
About Neethling Fouché's wife and children
Neethling is married to Janca Fouché, and they exchanged their vows in December 2017. In a May 5, 2023, X (Twitter) post, Fouché revealed that Janca's father had not approved their relationship when they began dating in 2012. He said,
When we and my wife started dating back in 2012 her dad didn’t speak to me at all for the first 6 months. Only a handshake when I would arrive and a nod when I would leave. Nothing inbetween. See, he was a massive Stormers/Western Province supporter.
Neethling and Janca have two children, daughter Lente Fouché and son Jan-Hendrik Pelser Fouché. The family resides in Nooitgedacht Village, an exclusive luxury estate.
Source: Instagram
Trivia
- Neethling overcame several injuries and tough periods early in his career to reach the top level.
- Neethling Fouché was one of the Springboks' rugby players against the Barbarians in June 2025, though in a non-test match.
- Johann Neethling's son was diagnosed with epilepsy.
Conclusion
Neethling Fouché's rise in rugby combines grit, commitment, and national pride. In 2025, he made his Springboks debut. His journey inspires many aspiring athletes from humble beginnings in Grey College to a Stormers stalwart.
READ MORE: Wayde van Niekerk bio
Briefly.co.za shared an article about Wayde Van Niekerk, a South African top sprinter. He first gained recognition for his 2016 400m world record.
Besides competing in the 400m race, he participates in the 200m, 300m, and 100m races. Additionally, he hails from an athletic family, with his mother being a retired sprinter.
Proofreading by Kelly Lippke, copy editor at Briefly.co.za.
Source: Briefly News
