South African back row Dylan Nel played in Major League Rugby between 2024-2025. He represented the Utah Warriors for his entire MLR career.

Nel moved from South Africa to New Zealand in 2015. He represented Canterbury in NZ’s NPC competition between 2016-2017, also serving as injury cover for the Crusaders in the 2017 Super Rugby season. He represented Otago between 2018-2021, as well as the Chiefs in the 2019 Super Rugby season. Between 2021-2023, Nel played with the Mitsubishi Dynaboars in Japan’s League One, before returning to the NPC for the 2023 season with Southland.

The son-in-law of Utah Head Coach Greg Cooper, The Utah Warriors announced the signing of Dylan Nel on 15th November 2023 for the 2024 MLR season, and with 128 tackles in 11 games (all starts), was a standout for the Warriors during a tough season. He also racked up over 750m with ball in hand, 4th in MLR amongst forwards. Nel was named as the 2024 Utah Warriors Forward of the Year.

On 30th June 2024, the Southland Stags announced that Nel would be returning for their 2024 NPC campaign during the MLR off-season, and on December 20th 2024 the Utah Warriors confirmed the return of Dylan Nel, Warrior #120 for the 2025 MLR season. In his sophomore season in North America, Dylan Nel set career highs almost across the board. He scored 4 tries and started 15 of his 16 appearances for the Warriors (all career highs), helping the Warriors finish as MLR’s top regular season team and earn their first postseason victory ever before falling to the Houston SaberCats in the Western Conference Final. Nel also recorded his first 200+ tackle season, finishing 3rd in MLR with 234. With Greg Cooper stepping down as Utah Warriors head coach following the 2025 season and joining the NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu in Japan’s Rugby League One, Nel followed his father-in-law, signing with the Green Rockets on 31st July, 2025.

achievements

• 3rd in MLR Tackling: 2025 (234)
• MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 6
• 2024 Utah Warriors Forward of the Year
• MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 6
• MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 3