Dillyn Leyds

Career

Youth and Varsity rugby Leyds was educated at Western Province Preparatory School and went on to Bishops College in Cape Town, where he played for their First XV rugby side in 2009 and 2010, alongside players such as Nizaam Carr, Oli Kebble, Johnny Kôtze, Sam Lane and Tim Swiel.

He represented Western Province at various age-group levels. In 2010, he was included in both their Under-18 Academy Week and Craven Week sides. The following year, the played for the side in the 2011 Under-19 Provincial Championship, where he scored 133 points in 13 starts to finish second in the points-scoring charts and help his side reach the quarter-finals of the competition. He was a regular in the squad during the 2012 and 2013 Provincial Championships, helping them reach a final in the former and winning the competition in 2013.

In 2012 and 2013, he also played Varsity Cup rugby for the . He was jointly the third-highest try scorer in 2012, averaging one try per match in his seven appearances.

2012 IRB Junior World Championship In 2012, Leyds was a member of the South African Under-20 side that won the 2012 IRB Junior World Championship on home soil. Leyds started their Pool Stage matches against Ireland and England, their semi-final match against Argentina and the final against New Zealand, helping his side to a 22–16 victory over the defending champions to win the title for the first time ever.

Western Province Leyds was included in the squad for the 2013 Vodacom Cup competition. His first class debut came against the Argentinean invitational side the in Cape Town. He came on as a second-half substitute and scored a conversion with his first touch of the ball, plus added a penalty later to help Western Province to a 28–17 victory. He also appeared in their semi-final match against the , but could not prevent them being knocked out of the competition following a 44–25 loss.

Western Force and Perth Spirit Leyds moved to Australia to join Perth-based Super Rugby franchise the for the 2014 Super Rugby season, where he was named in their Wider Training Group. He was included in a matchday squad for the first time for their Round 16 match against the in Christchurch. He made three substitute appearances for the Force during the season, appearing in their matches against the Crusaders, and .

He was also named in the side that played in the 2014 National Rugby Championship. He made five appearances in the competition and scored a try in their match against the .

Return to Western Province In March 2014, announced that Leyds would return to the Cape Town-based side for the 2014 Currie Cup Premier Division season. Due to ongoing commitments with the and , he only started training with Western Province towards the end of September 2014.

Stormers He made his Super Rugby debut for the on the wing against the scoring a try and helping the Stormers to shock the Bulls 17–29 in Pretoria on the opening weekend of 2015 Super Rugby season on 14 February 2015.

Stade Rochelais Leyds signed for French Top 14 outfit, La Rochelle, ahead of the 2020–21 season.

Honours

South Africa 2012 IRB Junior World Championship winner

Club

Western Province 2017 Currie Cup winner

La Rochelle European Rugby Champions Cup: 2021–2022, 2022–2023