Namibian centre Le Roux Malan played in Major League Rugby between 2022-2024. He represented the New England Free Jacks for his entire MLR career.

Born in Windhoek, Namibia and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, Malan played first the Paarl Boys High School First XV before signing with the Sharks in KwaZulu-Natal on a junior provincial contract for their U19 side, and made his pro debut in the 2019 Supersport Challenge before competing in the U21 Currie Cup between 2020-2021.

In 2021, Malan signed with the New England Free Jacks ahead of their 2022 MLR season, and appeared in all 17 games for the club that season (16 starts), scoring 5 tries and running for 1,383m gained in possession, finishing 5th in the League in that stat. Following the season he earned his full international test debut for Namibia against Spain, before returning to MLR to re-join the Free Jacks for their Shield-winning 2023 season, where he earned 11 further appearances (10 starts) and scored 9 tries including a Shield-winning score late in the Championship Final to give the Free Jacks a 24-25 victory over the San Diego Legion in Chicago. Coming off this high, Malan was selected for the Namibia squad to play at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, but suffered a horrific ankle injury early in his first RWC game against New Zealand.

This injury sidelined Malan for months, but he made a remarkable recovery to return to the pitch for the Free Jacks part-way through the 2024 season, appearing in 14 games and starting 12 of them. His only try of the 2024 season came in the Championship Game, where the Free Jacks were victories again, this time by a score of 11-20 over the Seattle Seawolves. with his most recent try before this coming in the 2023 final, Malan is the first player in MLR history to have scored consecutive tries in back-to-back MLR finals! To date, Malan has earned 42 MLR caps with the Free Jacks, and has qualified for the post-season in every year he has played, earning a Shield in back-to-back seasons from 2023-2024.

On 30th July 2024, the Hawke’s Bay Magpies included Malan in their Squad for the 2024 NPC season, marking Malan’s first time playing professionally in New Zealand. On October 22nd, 2024, the New England Free Jacks announced the return of Le Roux Malan for their 2025 MLR season.

achievements

• 2024 MLR Champion: New England Free Jacks
• 2023 MLR Champion: New England Free Jacks
• T-9th in MLR Try Scoring: 2023 (9)
• 5th in MLR Meters Gained: 2022 (1,383m)