California born utility back Marcel Brache played in Major League Rugby between 2022-2025. He represented the Austin Gilgronis (2022) and the San Diego Legion (2023-2025).

At test level, Brache earned his debut for the USA in November 2016, and is Eagle #503. He represented the USA at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, and played with the Eagles through their qualifying campaign for the 2023 RWC in France. Raised in South Africa, Brache attended the University of Cape Town and played in the 2010-2011 Varsity Cup. He played with Western Province between 2010-2013 in the Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup, and made his Super Rugby debut with the Stormers in 2012. Brache moved to Australia and played with the Perth Spirit in the Western Force system between 2014-2017, and the Western Force itself between 2014-2021.

Following his time with the Western Force, Brache signed with the Austin Gilgronis ahead of the 2022 MLR season. He appeared in 13 regular season games for the AGs, starting 12 and scoring 1 try. The Gilgronis finished the regular season as the #1 team in the Western Conference, but prior to the Championship Series, both the Gilgronis and their sister team, the LA Giltinis, were disqualified due to alleged Salary Cap violations. Following these announcements and the subsequent folding of both franchises, Brache signed with the San Diego Legion ahead of the 2023 MLR season. He earned a career high 14 appearances (all starts) in the Legion’s record 15-1 season as they advanced to the Championship Final, where they fell 24-25 to the New England Free Jacks.

On 23rd December 2023, the San Diego Legion announced the return of then-36yo Marcel Brache for the 2024 MLR season where he added another 2 tries in 14 games (13 starts) and recorded over 750m gained to take his career total over 2,300m. On November 13th, 2024, the San Diego Legion announced the return of Marcel Brache for his 4th MLR season in 2025, his 3rd with the Legion.

achievements

• 2023 MLR Runner-Up: San Diego Legion
• MLR Team of the Week: 2022 – Round 2