South African back row Dylan Nel played in Major League Rugby during the 2024 season. 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.

On 15th November 2023, the Utah Warriors announced the signing of Dylan Nel 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.

achievements

• 2024 Utah Warriors Forward of the Year
• MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 6
• MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 3