Ex-Junior Springbok wing Lloyd Greeff set for NFL trial

Former Junior Bok wing Lloyd Greeff is set to move to California in an attempt to try out as a kicker for American football teams.

Greeff was a member of the 2014 Junior Bok squad alongside the likes of Springboks Handre Pollard, Jean-Luc and Dan du Preez, Malcolm Marx, Thomas du Toit, Andre Esterhuizen, Warrick Gelant, Wilco Louw and Jesse Kriel.

The former Lions and Cheetahs player, who also had a stint in Europe with Zebre, has been consistently kicking 75-yard field goals in practice – eleven yards further than any field goal in the history of NFL matches.

According to RugbyPass, Greeff is being assisted in transitioning from rugby to American football by World Wide Scholarships (WWS) and Jim Ulrich from Enter Sports Management. With the backing of WWS and Ulrich, Greeff will participate in the HUB Combine event on 23 May in California, where 27 NFL general managers will be seeking new talent for their 2021 rosters.

The HUB Combine event is designed to help propel free-agent players into the world of professional NFL. WWS CEO Munya Maraire said: ‘There is no doubt that Africa is brimming with some of the best talent in the world and we cannot wait to link that talent with the opportunities it needs to be showcased.

‘Working with ESM enables us to partner with one of the most prestigious agencies in the world with a reputation for placing undiscovered talent on the biggest of stages. Africa’s time is now and we are right behind our talent.’

Greeff, 27, has been training since being picked at the WWS scout camp in South Africa in December 2020. He added: ‘I have been training six days a week with a strong focus on speed work, strength and conditioning. American football is not too different to rugby when it comes to most training, but I have concentrated on my speed work more so as the game is focused on bursts of short sprints.

‘I’m very excited for the next phase of my career and playing American football is a dream for many and I know with the hard work and dedication I have put into my training, I can be one of the first South African-trained sportspeople to play in the NFL.’