Ever feel like professional athletes are always loyal to one team? Think again! There's a rugby player out there who's redefined the concept of a 'journeyman,' and it's probably not who you think. While Billy Searle is currently basking in the spotlight at Leicester, having seemingly found his long-awaited rugby sanctuary at Welford Road, his journey pales in comparison to another player's incredible odyssey.
Searle, the in-form fly-half, recently dazzled fans with a hat-trick and a whopping 25 points in Leicester's dominant Champions Cup victory over Bayonne. This performance only added to his already impressive displays this season, leading some to suggest he's even overshadowed headline signing James O'Connor and potentially negated the need for Leicester to pursue another big-name number 10. Searle himself has even admitted to needing both hands to count the number of clubs he's represented – confirmed by rugby statistician Stuart Farmer to be ten, spanning from Launceston to Leicester and various locations across England and France.
But here's where it gets controversial... While Searle's decade of clubs might seem extraordinary, he's actually quite settled compared to Michael van Vuuren. Van Vuuren holds the record for the most clubs played for by any player with Premiership Rugby (PREM) experience. This hooker, now making waves as a coach in the North East of England, represented a staggering 15 different clubs! That's just two shy of the world record in the professional era, held by fellow South African front-rower, Ross Geldenhuys. Think about that for a moment – 15 different locker rooms, 15 different sets of teammates, 15 different strategies to learn.
Van Vuuren's career began with the Free State Cheetahs, where he made history as the youngest player to ever compete in the Currie Cup. His journey eventually led him to Europe, where he embarked on a whirlwind tour, playing for some of the continent's most prominent clubs. His career wasn't without its challenges. He faced a recurring theme of coaches being sacked shortly after signing him. Sometimes, recruitment policies didn't favor him. Visa and citizenship complications added to the mix. And, adding insult to injury, he found himself at two clubs that ultimately went bankrupt, most notably Wasps.
"Throughout my career, I have played for numerous clubs, each with their own good and not so good," Van Vuuren reflected. He specifically mentioned Leicester, Bath, London Irish, Northampton, Wasps, and Newcastle as former PREM clubs. "Great rugby towns and fans."
He continued, sharing his memories of each club. "Reflecting on my time at Leicester, I recall the unique hard-man/working class atmosphere, rich history, and the great people associated with the club; it was truly a great experience." He described Bath as feeling like "royalty" and praised their exceptionally talented players, adding that they are now "reaping the benefits of a lot of that talent." Northampton, he said, was another club he thoroughly enjoyed, highlighting the "awesome coaching staff and brilliant players." He acknowledged the challenges he faced at Falcons but emphasized that it was an "invaluable learning experience."
And this is the part most people miss... Despite his many stops, Van Vuuren has a clear favorite. "However, if I had to choose a favourite, it would likely be Wasps," he admitted. "Initially, it was a four-week trial but that was extended and four weeks became two months, three months etc. Joe Launchbury has to be the best captain I ever played for and Lee Blackett is an incredible coach," he added. He emphasized the positive environment: "A mark of how well he treats players is the fact I never wanted to leave the training facility at the end of the day and I couldn’t wait to get back there the next morning. The combination of the coaching staff and the players created a world-class environment and one I will always be grateful for. It was a true family."
Van Vuuren passionately believes in the potential of Wasps, stating, "I truly believe that if Wasps had stayed afloat and kept a lot of that squad together they’d have been winning Premierships. Hopefully, we’ll see that great club take to the field again." A poignant statement, considering the club's unfortunate demise.
Van Vuuren, a former Junior Springbok and teammate of the legendary Siya Kolisi, retired in 2024, never exceeding 25 appearances for any of his 15 clubs. Now 34, the former Grey’s College pupil had planned one last hurrah in Major League Rugby (MLR) in the United States, but a torn MCL while playing for Newcastle prompted his earlier-than-expected transition into coaching. "I’ve got a few roles going on – with Alnwick RFC, Gateshead College, Northumbria University and Northumberland Men’s U20s – and it’s very rewarding seeing the players develop. Hopefully, I can make a positive impact on all the players’ lives."
Interestingly, Wylie Human, who also played for Northampton and Bath in the PREM, comes in second to van Vuuren, having represented 14 clubs. So, is loyalty overrated in professional sports? Should players chase opportunities wherever they find them? Or is there something to be said for sticking with a team through thick and thin? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
