Carlo de Nysschen Returns to Dallas

The Dallas Jackals are delighted to announce Carlo de Nysschen has signed with Dallas through 2023! Former Colorado Raptor and San Diego Legion, de Nysschen brings MLR experience to the Jackals. 

De Nysschen, 25, originates from Pretoria, South Africa where he attended Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool (Affies), a very prestigious rugby school. In 2014, he played for the Blue Bulls Rugby Academy U18s and later joined the U19 National Currie Cup Championship side advancing to the semi-finals. 

He continued his education and rugby career at the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, South Africa playing on the U19 Free State Cheetahs than promoted to the U21 team.

In 2017, de Nysschen moved to the US and joined the Glendale Rugby Academy playing for the Glendale Merlins D1 team. During the Fall of 2018, he played for the Glendale Raptors for the Exhibition season and soon signed with the Raptors for their Inaugural Season. During the 2019 season, de Nysschen scored two tries and kicked 5 conversions, and was named twice in the ‘MLR Team of the Week’. He became an American Qualified player and re-signed with the Raptors for the 2020 season. 

With MLR experience behind him, de Nysschen said he has been fortunate enough to experience great leaders, mentors, and dressing rooms. “I feel like it is my responsibility to be the same kind of role model or mentor to some of the younger players and I hope to be an example through my work ethic and professionalism.” He continued, “Having said that, I have always been a sponge and I look forward to soaking up all the information I can from my teammates, experienced or not.” 

De Nysschen spent the 2021 season with San Diego where he played 12 games, 8 of which were starts, and scored 2 tries and kicked a total of 15 points. 

Elaine Vassie, Jackals GM, said, “Very pleased to be able to welcome Carlo back to the pack! He’s a great person, with a real work ethic and focus on self development. The tempo he’s looking to play the game at with his existing skill set will be a real asset to us at Jackals!”

When asked what he is most excited about in coming to Dallas, de Nysschen said, “the Jackals have a very unique and exciting opportunity, as the first group of players and staff to represent the Dallas Jackals, to lay the foundations for something very special leaving behind a legacy that will go on in a city that has a proud history of successful sports teams.” 

De Nysschen is currently living in the DFW area and said, “I see many similarities to Pretoria. From the love people have for their local sports teams to the raw passion people have for high school and college sports teams to the hospitality and friendliness of the Texan people in general, it all reminds me of home.”

“Another thing that stands out to me is the excitement around rugby. I have been fortunate enough to meet a few people who play for local clubs and I am looking forward to finding my role in helping to grow the game even further in our community,” he continued. 

Welcome to the Pack Carlo!

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About Dallas Jackals —

The Dallas Jackals are a professional rugby team of Major League Rugby (MLR), the highest level of rugby competition in North America. The Jackals were named as an expansion team in 2020 and will play their inaugural season in 2022. The team’s central mission is to develop domestic talent to a world-class level of play and professionalism while strengthening the high- performance pathway in DFW by supporting the local clubs. Through proactive Community Outreach, the Jackals will exemplify and spread the passion of rugby by inspiring tradition, respect, family, and character on and off the pitch.

About MLR —

Major League Rugby is a professional sports league entering its fifth season and represents the highest level of rugby competition in North America. The League evolved from seven teams in 2018, to 13 teams in 2022, featuring 12 from the United States and one from Canada. Matches are televised on CBS Sports Network, Fox Sports 2, and ESPN+, among other national and local market platforms. All matches are available on Facebook Live for international fans. MLR prides itself in fostering intense and high-stakes competition, while bringing together a passionate community built on the values of Respect, Inclusivity, and Tradition. For more information about MLR, visit MajorLeague.Rugby.