Created and written by Deon Opperman, Getroud Met Rugby: Die Sepie is an Afrikaans-language version of the British TV series, Footballers’ Wives. The South African TV series translates in English as “Married To Rugby: The Soapie” and presently ranks among the most-watched drama series on DStv’s Afrikaans-language channel, KykNET.
Currently in its sixth season, the soapie first premiered on the TV network on April 4th, 2016. Getroud Met Rugby revolves around four Johannesburg-based rugby stars, their significant others, and their involvement in different interconnected scandals. The show features some prominent Afrikaans actors and has a movie adaption titled, Getroud met Rugby: Die Onvertelde Storie.
List of Getroud Met Rugby Actors and The Roles They Play
- Stephanie Baartman as Bianca “Bibi” Bhele
- Jocelyn Broderick as Nina Bekker
- Werner Coetser as Johan “Blitz” Vermeulen
- David Clatworthy as Gerald Richter
- Franci Swanepoel as Laetitia du Preez
- Rina Nienaber as Katryn “Koekie” Koekemoer
- Johan Scholtz as Schalk Brand
- Altus Theart as Alfons “Fafa” Beltrame
- Christel van den Bergh as Renate Greeff
- Louis van Niekerk as Festus Koekemoer
- Theodore Jantjies as Jordan James
- Vicky Kente as Virginia
- Gerald Steyn as Pine Pienaar
- David Louw as Simon Greeff
- Elzabé Zietsman as Magda
- Zetske van Pletzen as Julia de Villiers
- Marlee van der Merwe as Kristein
- Arno Greeff as Thomas “Tommie” Bekker
- David Johnson as Liam
- Arno Marias as Thinus
- Jolene Martin as Jade Cloete
- Pierre Breytenbach as Bart
- Mandi du Plooy as Lienkie
- David Vlok as Gideon Paulus Bekker
- Nadia Beukes as Iva Muller
- Fezile Mpela as Ike
- Hannon Bothma as Gasspeler
- Duncan Johnson as Jan
- Marisa Drummond as Sandra
- Tony Caprari as Gasspeler
- Natasja Jacobs as Amanda
- Chantal Stanfield as Lindy
Meet Getroud Met Rugby Cast Members
1. Stephanie Baartman
- Role: Bianca “Bibi” Bhele
- Age: 38 years old
- Cast type: Main
- Number of episodes: Over 300 episodes
- Season appearances: Seasons 1-6
For six seasons, Stephanie Baartman has been playing the role of Bianca “Bibi” Bhele in Getroud Met Rugby and is among the main cast members. On December 21st, 1985, the beautiful actress was born in Humansdorp, Eastern Cape, South Africa. She was raised by her parents, who are pastors. Consequently, she began singing in the church when she was five years old.
Later in 2010, with the support of her parents, Stephanie participated in the third season of Supersterre, a reality TV singing competition. The actress cum singer is multilingual and can fluently speak Afrikaans, Zulu, and English. She made her acting debut with Getroud Met Rugby in 2016, and the TV series has been her only TV role to date.
2. Jocelyn Broderick
- Role: Nina Bekker
- Age: 61 years old
- Cast type: Main
- Number of episodes: Over 300 episodes
- Season appearances: Seasons 1-6
Nina Bekker is one of the main characters of Getroud Met Rugby, and the role was exceptionally played by South African actress Jocelyn Broderick. She has made appearances in more than 300 episodes, having been featured since season one. Besides acting, the 61-year-old works as a writer and corporate facilitator.
She co-wrote the soundtracks of the award-winning film, Total Claim with Didi Kriel. She co-founded a company known as Performance Role Play Training (PRPT), which organizes training and facilitation and mostly uses professional business roles players in their training. Jocelyn began her career in entertainment soon after graduating from the University of Natal-Pietermaritzburg with a BA in Drama and English.
In the past few years, she has scored leading roles in numerous theatre productions such as Brothers of the Head, Die Potlooddief en die Engel, Ek Onthou vir Mamma, Four Stops on the Northern Line, and The Glass Menagerie. She has also played roles in TV series such as Wild at Heart, Soul City, Snitch, Zero Tolerance, and Villa Rosa. Her film credits include Hooded Angels and The Unique Oneness of Christian Savage.
3. Werner Coetser
- Role: Johan “Blitz” Vermeulen
- Age: 36 years old
- Cast type: Main
- Number of episodes: Over 300 episodes
- Season appearances: Seasons 1-6
From 2010 to 2016, South African actor Werner Coetser became widely known for portraying Bernard Jordaan in the SABC2 soapie, 7de Laan. He then left his role to join the cast of Getroud Met Rugby, taking up a starring role in the series where he perfectly portrays the character of Johan “Blitz” Vermeulen, a hunk rugby player with an eye for the ladies.
Werner is a graduate of the University of Pretoria. There, he earned a BA in Drama. Upon his graduation, he had a role in Susanna van Biljon se Storie and was featured in theatre productions such as The Witches, A Place For Two, Drie Susters, Three Wall Temple, and Macbeth. He also guest-starred in the KykNET series, Sterlopers, in 2016 before taking up a role in Getroud Met Rugby in April that year.
4. David Clatworthy
- Role: Gerald Richter
- Age: Died on September 8th, 2020, aged 60
- Cast type: Main
- Number of episodes: Over 100 episodes
- Season appearances: Seasons 1 and 2
David Clatworthy was one of the directors of the famously known Afrikaans-language series. He also played the main role in seasons one and two of the show before passing away on September 8th, 2020, after battling esophagus cancer at the age of 60. He played Gerald Richter in Getroud Met Rugby and Clive Wright in the SABC2 sitcom Konsternasie Oppie Stasie.
He completed his high school education at Pretoria Boys High School before proceeding to the University of Cape Town to study for a bilingual Performer’s Diploma in Speech and Drama from 1980 to 1983. Soon after, he kicked off his acting career and had roles in many films, theatre productions, and TV series. They include The Boys Next Door, Isidingo, Life Is a Pitch, 7de Laan, and Zero Tolerance.
He further had roles in more than 100 radio dramas and was a recipient of Fleur Du Cap Awards for Best Supporting Actor in Greek and Long Day’s Journey Into Night.
5. Franci Swanepoel
- Role: Laetitia du Preez
- Age: NA
- Cast type: Main
- Number of episodes: Over 100 episodes
- Season appearances: Seasons 1 and 2
Just like David Clatworthy, Franci Swanepoel, who played the role of Laetitia du Preez in Getroud Met Rugby, featured only in seasons one and two. She debuted as a professional actress in 1980 and is best recognized for the role of Toeks Joubert in the M-Net soap opera, Binneland.
Before making her professional acting debut, Franci started featuring in radio dramas at five years old. She was born in Johannesburg and attended Hoerskool Linden. She achieved a degree in Drama at the University of Stellenbosch and subsequently started working as a TV presenter for KykNET. There, she hosted shows like Fiesta and Swerftyd.
She further worked for SABC2 as a continuity presenter. In the 1980s, Franci Swanepoel starred in Mtunzini Spa, Somebody to Love, and Desert Flower. She was additionally featured in acclaimed stage plays such as Swatskaap and Siener in die Suburbs.
6. Rina Nienaber
- Role: Katryn “Koekie” Koekemoer
- Age: 71 years old
- Cast type: Main
- Number of episodes: Over 300 episodes
- Season appearances: Seasons 1-6
Katryn “Koekie” Koekemoer was played by South African actress and director Rina Nienaber from seasons one to six of the Afrikaans-language series. She is one of the main cast members of Getroud Met Rugby, and the show helped her career soar to a new height. Before GMR, Nina had a starring role of Baba Swanepoel in Generations from 1993 to 2003.
She also played Heldi in Skwizas and Karen in Onder Draai die Duiwei Rond. Highlights of her other TV roles include Matron in Erfsondes, Aanklaer in Die Sonkring, Juffrou Visser in Dryfsand, Vroulike Radiostern in Konings, and Gevaarlike Antie in Konsternasie Oppie Statsie.
7. Johan Scholtz
- Role: Schalk Brand
- Age: NA
- Cast type: Main
- Number of episodes: Over 300 episodes
- Season appearances: Seasons 1-6
Making appearances in more than 300 episodes, Johan Scholtz portrayed the character of a rugby referee—Schalk Brand in Getroud Met Rugby. He joined PACT’s opera department in 1984, and while studying Drama at the University of Pretoria, he became a professional actor at PACT and thus, kickstarted his acting career.
He debuted in Agter Elke Man and subsequently had roles in Arende, Vleuels, and Grondbaronne. Later in the ’90s, Johan went for missionary work in Europe for a few years, and upon his return to South Africa, he was cast in Egoli. Afterward, he became a pastor and stayed away from acting for seven years. He eventually made a comeback and featured in the KykNET series, Hartland, in 2011.
8. Altus Theart
- Role: Alfons “Fafa” Beltrame
- Age: 44 years old
- Cast type: Main
- Number of episodes: Over 300 episodes
- Season appearances: Seasons 1-6
Another South African actor whose career took a new shape following his performance in Getroud Met Rugby is Althus Heart. Before debuting as Alfons “Fafa” Beltrame in the series, he had a starring role in the KykNET drama series, Donkerland in 2013. He studied Theatre, Singing, and Directing at the Tshwane University of Technology and achieved N Diploma in 2006.
While at TUT, Althus featured in many theatrical works such as The Crucible, the KKNK production of Skimmespel, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream. After his graduation, he took up the role of Wener “Killer” Botha in the teen comedy movie, Bakgat and its sequels Bakgat 2 and Bakgat 3. He additionally had a cameo role in the Afrikaans film, Superhelde and was featured in a Coca-Cola commercial debuted in Super Bowl in 2013.
As a singer, Altus Theart released a self-titled album in 2011. He is the son-in-law of actor Pierre van Pletzen and has been married to his daughter, Zetske van Pletzen, who is also a GMR star, for more than ten years now.
9. Christel van den Bergh
- Role: Renate Greeff
- Age: 42 years old
- Cast type: Main
- Number of episodes: Over 300 episodes
- Season appearances: Seasons 1-6
Christel van den Bergh is well-known for scoring roles in several KykNET series. Before joining the cast of Getroud Met Rugby as Renate Greeff, she played the role of Lorraine in Villa Rosa and a drug-addicted teenager Ansie Retief in Plek van die Vieisvreters.
The actress was born in Pretoria, where she also grew up. She graduated from Pretoria Technikon with a Diploma in Drama in 2003. She served as one of the celebrity ambassadors of the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) in 2009. Christel, who is the wife of GMR star, David Louw, is well-known for her roles in 7de Laan, Binnelanders, Egoli, Generations, and Laugh Out Loud.
10. Louis van Niekerk
- Role: Festus Koekemoer
- Age: 88 years old
- Cast type: Main
- Number of episodes: Over 300 episodes
- Season appearances: Seasons 1-6
Also among the main cast members of Getroud Met Rugby is Louis van Niekerk. He has been portraying the character of Festus Koekemoer for six seasons of the show. His career has spanned over five decades as he has been active in the South African film industry since 1960. The 88-year-old actor has starred in several feature films, stage plays, and TV series throughout his career.
They include playing Pieter Markgraaff in Zero Tolerance, Ben Viljoen in Amalia, Grandpa Daniel van Wyk in Feast of The Uninvited, Piet Badenhorst in Die Vierde Kabinet, and Wilkens in Die Sonkring.
11. Theodore Jantjies
- Role: Jordan James
- Age: 41 years old
- Cast type: Main
- Number of episodes: Over 100 episodes
- Season appearances: Seasons 5 and 6
Professionally known as Theodore Jantjies, South African actor Theodore Graham Peter Jantjies was born on April 8th, 1983, in Heidelberg, Western Cape. The 41-year-old made his debut in the KykNET series in the fifth season and has turned out to become one of the show’s favorite stars. He has been playing a starring role as Jordan James in more than 100 episodes of the series.
In 2002, the actor enrolled at the Northlink College in Cape Town and graduated two years later with a Diploma in Performing Arts. Before joining the cast of Getroud Met Rugby, Jantjies had a starring role in the SABC2 series 7de Laan and thus, became well-known for his portrayal of Xander Meintjies in the soapie. His other TV credits include Rhythm City and Hotel.
12. Vicky Kente
- Role: Virginia
- Age: 59 years old
- Cast type: Recurring
- Number of episodes: Over 300 episodes
- Season appearances: Seasons 1-6
Vicky Kente landed her first starring TV role in 2015 and portrayed the character of Thembi Mtshali-Jones in the Mzansi Magic sitcom, The Mayor. Afterward, she joined the cast of Getroud Met Rugby as Virginia and has been on the show for six seasons. Vicky speaks six languages―Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu, Sesotho, siSwati, and English.
She is the owner of a production company called Kente Media Productions. Over the years, her company has produced documentaries and videos for blue-chip companies in South Africa, the United Kingdom, Canada, and United States. She served as the producer of Joey Rasdien’s comedy show, Rasdien, in 2010 and has appeared in commercials for Unilever.
She earned a degree in Drama at the University of Cape Town and a degree in Communications at the University of South Africa (UNISA). For five years, Vicky Kente worked as a choreographer in Cape Town. She has also worked for SABC as a presenter of a few productions. The actress has further starred in movies such as Winnie Mandela, A New Adventure, and Little One.
13. Gerald Steyn
- Role: Pine Pienaar
- Age: 34 years old
- Cast type: Recurring
- Number of episodes: Over 300 episodes
- Season appearances: Seasons 1-6
The character of Pine Pienaar was sensationally played in GMR by South African actor Gerald Steyn for six seasons. As a result, he is best known for the role, which was his first starring role on television. He later moved on to make his film debut in 2019, playing the role of Willem van Rooyen in Fiela se Kind.
In that same year, Steyn was featured in a short film titled Binnelandse Sake and equally had a recurring role of Lourens le Riche in the M-Net drama miniseries, Trackers. The 34 years old actor further starred in the movie Meisies Wat Fluit in 2020 and also had the role of Anton Marais in the drama series, Lioness in the next year.
14. David Louw
- Role: Simon Greeff
- Age: 36 years old
- Cast type: Main
- Number of episodes: Over 250 episodes
- Season appearances: Seasons 2-6
South African actor David Louw is widely recognized for his role as Simon Greeff in Getroud Met Rugby. He has featured in five seasons of the show and is currently reprising his role in the sixth season. Louw hails from Vrede in Free State. He later moved to Johannesburg to pursue a career in acting, enrolling in Performing Arts and Lifestyle Institution (PALI).
There, he was trained for four years in Stage and Film Acting. In the past years, the actor has mostly featured in theatre productions. They include We’re South African! performed at the Pretoria State Theatre and Hardloop Dominee at the Pierneef and Breytenbach Theatres. His movie credits include Sy Klink Soos Lente, Modder en Bloed, Rowwe Diamante, and Wolwedans in die Skemer.
15. Elzabé Zietsman
- Role: Magda
- Age: 63 years old
- Cast type: Main
- Number of episodes: Over 250 episodes
- Season appearances: Seasons 2-6
Elzabé Zietsman was born Elzabé Catharina Zietsman on January 20th, 1961. From 1995 to 1998, she played Kaye Knobel in the M-Net soap opera, Egoli: Place of Gold. She then returned to the show in 2002 and finally left the following year. Later in 2017, during the second season of Getroud Met Rugby, she debuted as Magda and has continued to reprise the role in the KykNET soapie.
Additionally, Zietsman has played the role of Riaan Human in Geraamtes in die Kas, Pat in Die Vileënde Springbokkie, Babsie Davel in Dit Wat Stom Is, and Pope Paula in Erfsondes.
16. Zetske van Pletzen
- Role: Julia de Villiers
- Age: NA
- Cast type: Main
- Number of episodes: Over 150 episodes
- Season appearances: Seasons 3-5
From season three to season five of Getroud Met Rugby, the character of Julia de Villiers was portrayed by South African actress, Zetske van Pletzen, the daughter of veteran actor Pierre van Pletzen. She was born and raised by her parents in Pretoria. From an early age, Zetske began having roles in radio infomercials and presently still works as a voice artist.
While studying Drama at Pro Arte Alphen Park, the actress had a role in the KykNET series, Hart van Staal, appearing in fourteen episodes. After her graduation, she gained a leading role in another KykNET series titled, Begeertes and later on, she began working at a production company. In 2007, she started working as an English teacher in France and returned home that same year.
Zetske van Pletzen is the wife of eminent actor Altus Theart, and she is popularly known for playing the starring role as Marcel van Niekerk in SABC2 soapie, 7de Laan, from August 2011 to April 2013. She also had a role in Bloedbroers (Blood Brother) and the 2015 comedy-drama movie, Mooirivier. She additionally took part in stage productions such as Houtkruis – Die Musical and Dood van ‘n Verkoopsman.
17. Marlee van der Merwe
- Role: Kristein
- Age: 42 years old
- Cast type: Main
- Number of episodes: Over 250 episodes
- Season appearances: Seasons 2-6
Before debuting in the second season of GMR, Marlee van der Merwe first came to the limelight for playing a starring role as Alexia Kriel in the KykNET music drama series, Sterlopers. She landed the role of Kristein and has made appearances in more than 250 episodes of the Afrikaans language series.
Marlee first studied Entertainment Technology at the Tshwane University of Technology for one year before opting for a 3-year diploma in Musical Theatre, which she completed before joining the cast of the musical play, Showboat. The cast toured across Europe and also performed in some South African cities. The actress further had roles in other theatre works such as Girl Talk 007 and The Full Monty – The Broadway.
18. Arno Greeff
- Role: Thomas “Tommie” Bekker
- Age: 29 years old
- Cast type: Main
- Number of episodes: Over 200 episodes
- Season appearances: Seasons 1, 2, 5, and 6
Young South African actor Arno Greeff is another Getroud Met Rugby cast member who bagged a main role in the series. He has made appearances in four seasons of the KykNET series, portraying the character of Thomas “Tommie” Bekker. It was the first starring role for the 29-year-old who previously had a recurring role in Binnelanders.
He also played a minor role in Bloedbroers in 2015 before debuting in GMR. Arno kicked off his acting career at the age of sixteen after developing an interest in dramatic arts while attending Helpmekaar Kollege, an Afrikaans private school. Over the years, he has featured in films such as Die Pro (The Pro) and Verraaiers. His TV roles include 7de Laan, Legacy, Blood & Water, and Generations.
19. David Johnson
- Role: Liam
- Age: 43 years old
- Cast type: Recurring
- Number of episodes: Over 150 episodes
- Season appearances: Seasons 2-5
David Johnson had a recurring role as Liam in the KykNET drama series. He made appearances in over 150 episodes of the show. He is also well-known for playing Dr. Bennett in the second season of the SABC1 series, Society. He is a graduate of the University of Cape Town, and there, he earned a Diploma in Musical Theatre in 2005.
Johnson works as a dance teacher at Northlink College and has had roles in several stage productions such as The Boy Who Fell from the Roof, Hamlet, and Fred Abrahamse’s Maynardville production of Shakespeare’s works, including The Merchant of Vernice, Much Ado About Nothing, Macbeth, and Twelfth Night.
The actor further upgraded his portfolio by working as the director of Plucked and Hunt. He is also a music artist and performs with a local band known as Pola Royd.
20. Arno Marias
- Role: Thinus
- Age: 40 years old
- Cast type: Recurring
- Number of episodes: Over 100 episodes
- Season appearances: Seasons 3-6
Ome of My new headshots!! pic.twitter.com/QiglPk3I5u
— Arno Marais (@marais_arno) November 30, 2017
Arno Marais first charmed the viewers of South African soapies when he played a starring role in the SABC3 soap opera, Isidingo. He debuted as an IT specialist and bad boy Benjamin le Roux on November 20th, 2009. He then joined the cast of Getroud Met Rugby in the second season, playing Thinus. He is currently cast in the sixth season of the series.
Besides Isidingo and Getroud Met Rugby, Marais is known for featuring as Herman Mouton in the first and second seasons of Die Boekklub, Adv. Nick Edwards in the third season of Sokhulu & Partners, and Herman in the third season of Spoorloos.
21. Jolene Martin
- Role: Jade Colete
- Age: 44 years old
- Cast type: Main
- Number of episodes: Over 70 episodes
- Season appearance(s): Season 1
Though appearing only in season one of the KykNET drama series, Jolene Martin had a main role in the show. She was born in the Western Cape on September 16th, 1979, and began acting when she was just thirteen years old. During such time, she served as the presenter of the SABC youth environmental awareness program titled Eco-Vision. While attending Sans Souci Girls High School, she also worked as the host of the SABC2 show, Cool.
As a teenager, Jolene played leading roles in the stage productions of musicals such as Sound of Music and Chicago. She was also selected by J. Paul Getty Foundation, a Los Angeles-based art Institue, to address the United Nations in Paris, France, on cities experiencing dramatic change. She, afterward, took part in stage works such as Richard Loring’s Girl Talk and Boyband.
After featuring in the TV series, Fishy Fêshuns and Scoop Schoombie, the actress went on hiatus, relocating to the Island of Mallorca in Spain. Upon returning to South Africa, she dropped her debut album titled ‘The Beginning.’ She eventually became a household name when she was made the Coca-Cola Mega Millions Game Show host that had a massive audience. Jolene also served as the co-host of the magazine show Curious Culture.
22. Pierre Breytenbach
- Role: Bart
- Age: 49 years old
- Cast type: Recurring
- Number of episodes: Over 200 episodes
- Season appearances: Seasons 3-6
Appearing in more than 200 episodes of GMR, South African actor Pierre Brytenbach warmed viewers’ hearts with his terrific depictions as Bart in the series. He is also known for having roles in Generations, 7de Laan, and Egoli: The Place of Gold. He is a graduate of the University of Pretoria, where he earned a BA in Drama in 1998.
Pierre has worked as a field presenter for the SABC2 wildlife program 50/50. He was also one of the presenters of the KykNET breakfast show titled Dagbreek. Over the years, the actor has played roles in many TV series. They include Kompleka, Wild at Heart, Laugh Out Loud, Haak en Steek, Proesstrat, Binnelanders, Die Uwe Pottie Potgieter, Die Kasteel, and The Coconuts.
23. Mandi du Plooy
- Role: Lienkie
- Age: 41 years old
- Cast type: Recurring
- Number of episodes: Over 200
- Season appearances: Seasons 3-6
Mandi du Plooy is a South African actress who became popular for portraying Lenkie in Getroud Met Rugby. She began appearing in the show in the third season and still plays a recurring role in season six. She was born on October 1st, 1982, and was raised in Johannesburg. She attended the University of Stellenbosch. There, she studied Business Management.
Besides GMR, Mandi du Plooy is also popular in the country for playing the role of Lara in the M-Net soap opera, Egoli: The Place of Gold, from the thirteenth season to the eighteenth season. She made her TV debut while in Grade One as she was given the role of Muggie in the Afrikaans series, Saartjie. She also had a leading role in another Afrikaans series titled Samaritaan. As a voice artist, Mandi has played many voiceovers throughout her bloomy career.
24. David Vlok
- Role: Gideon Paulus Bekker
- Age: 61 years old
- Cast type: Main
- Number of episodes: Over 200 episodes
- Season appearances: Seasons 1-4
Gideon Paulus Bekker was portrayed by David Vlok in seasons one to four of Getroud Met Rugby. The actor had a main role in the series. He was born in Jagersfontein, Free State, on January 25th, 1963. Before proceeding to the Rands Afrikaans University (RAU), he underwent military training. He further bagged a higher technical Diploma in Electronic Instrument Engineering.
David Vlok debuted in show biz as a fight coordinator. He later worked as a stuntman before starring in the 1989 movie Reason To Die. He additionally had roles in other movies such as Jackie Chan’s Who Am I? American Ninja and Red Scorpion. Nonetheless, the actor is best recognized for playing Tim Vorster in M-Net-soap opera, Egoli: The Place of Gold. He debuted in the series in the first season, and his character was eventually written off in the 13th season.
Furthermore, Vlok has made appearances in several TV commercials. After landing a role in the musical, Stepping Out, the 61-year-old received tap dance training before participating in the musical play at Pieter Toerien’s Montecasino Theatre in Johannesburg in July 2006.
25. Nadia Beukes
- Role: Iva Muller
- Age: 41 years old
- Cast type: Main
- Number of episodes: Over 150
- Season appearances: Seasons 1-3
Famous South African TV presenter and actress Nadia Beukes is one of the main cast members of Getroud Met Rugby, even though she left the show in the third season after debuting in season one in 2016. She is popularly known as a continuity presenter for KykNET. She has served as a field presenter of multiple productions, including Dekor, Tuine en Tossels, EkoNET, Tjirp, and reality TV series Boer Soek ‘n Vrou.
She also hosted the Magic to the Max game show on M-Net. Nadia has had roles in many TV series, including 7de Laan, Entangles, Villa Rosa, Bundu Buddies, and Hartland. She is also a talented singer and was previously associated with the acclaimed acapella group Cut Glas. Alongside her husband, Xander Steyn, Nadia is part of the music group NX. They have released a debut album titled ‘Brieweboks,’ which the actress co-wrote and co-recorded.
26. Fezile Mpela
- Role: Ike
- Age: 50 years old
- Cast type: Main
- Number of episodes: Over 150
- Season appearances: Seasons 1-3
Another main cast member of Getroud Met Rugby is accomplished theatre actor Fezile Mpela. He played Ike in the first three seasons of the Afrikaans-language series. His birthplace is Krugersdorp, and his birthdate is November 16th, 1973. He graduated from Pretoria Technikon with a Diploma in Drama, and in 1994, he was recruited by M-Net as a continuity presenter.
Throughout his career as a media personality, Mpela has hosted numerous shows. They include the Lorie Awards, Mr. and Mrs. Pretoria, The All Africa Film Awards, The SAMA Awards, SABC2 game show, Where Were You?, and South African version of the international cooking show, Ready Steady Cook.
Fezile Mpela has also participated in several theatre productions like the Museum of Modern Mistakes, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, and The Blacks. Also, his film credits include The Lion King, Drum, Born Free 2, and Coup! He served as the narrator of the first season of the South African version of the documentary series, Who Do You Think You Are? The highlights of Mpela’s TV roles are Vincent in 4Play: Sex Tips for Girls, Themba in Erfsondes, and Prosper in Muzini.com.
27. Hannon Bothma
- Role: Gasspeler
- Age: 57 years old
- Cast type: Recurring
- Number of episodes: Over 150 episodes
- Season appearances: Seasons 1, 4, and 5
Making appearances in seasons one, four, and five of GMR, Hannon Bothma played Gasspeler in the popular series. He works as a hair, make-up, and image consultant. Thus, he has featured in many makeover reality TV series like KykNET’s Glam Guru and M-Net’s Star Maker Story. He also appeared in Sterlopers as Stilleerder, Perlement-Perlement as Gas-deelnemer, and Binnelanders as himself.
28. Duncan Johnson
- Role: Jan
- Age: NA
- Cast type: Recurring
- Number of episodes: Over 100 episodes
- Season appearances: Seasons 2-4
Duncan Johnson had a recurring role as Jan in the KykNET drama series. He made appearances in the second, third, and fourth seasons. The actor cum TV presenter is widely known as one of the continuity presenters working for DSTv’s M-Net Africa. In 2011, Johnson played a role in the SABC2 variety comedy show Colour TV.
Later in December 2019, he joined the cast of 7de Laan, playing the role of a family man – Marvin Peterson. He has further appeared in many other series, including 4Play: Sex Tips for Girls, Binnelanders, Fallen, Egoli: Place of Gold, Een Skoenlapper, Intersexions, Riemvasmaak, and The Docket.
29. Marisa Drummond
- Role: Sandra
- Age: 43 years old
- Cast type: Recurring
- Number of episodes: Over 100 episodes
- Season appearances: Seasons 3-5
Marisa Drummond has made appearances in numerous South African TV series throughout her blossoming career. In 2014, she bagged Royalty Soapie Award for Outstanding Female Villain for her portrayal of a university professor, Alexa, in the KykNET soap opera, Binnelanders. She also scored roles in Villa Rosa, Begeertes, and Sterlopers before joining the cast of Getroud Met Rugby as Sandra in the third season in June 2018.
Also, she is one of the directors of the soap opera. Marisa has further showcased her talent in several theatre productions. They include Deon Opperman’s Ons vir Jou, Sound of Music, Fiddler on the Roof, Thoroughly Modern Mille, and My Fair Lady. The actress was born in Bloemfontein on May 3rd, 1980 and equally grew up in her birthplace. She earned a BA in Drama and Theatre Arts from the University of Free State.
30. Tony Caprari
- Role: Gasspeler
- Age: 54 years old
- Cast type: Recurring
- Number of episodes: Over 50 episodes
- Season appearances: Seasons 2 and 3
South African actor Tony Caprari is one of the many actors that landed a recurring role in the KykNET drama series. He played Gasspeler in the second and third seasons of the series. Throughout his career that has spanned over three decades, Caprari has mostly had roles in feature films. In 1988, he featured in Back to Freedom, and in the next year, he was cast in the made-for-TV film Shark Attack.
Between 1990 and 2000, he starred in films such as River of Diamonds, Point of Impact, There’s a Zulu on My Stoep, Kickboxer 5, Armageddon: The Final Challenge, Tarzan and The Lost City, Cyborg Cop II, Cyborg Cop III, and Operation Delta Force 5: Random Fire. He additionally had minor roles in TV series such as Wild at Heart, Tarzan: The Epic Adventures, Charlie Jade, and Tropical Heat.
31. Natasja Jacobs
- Role: Amanda
- Age: 44 years old
- Cast type: Recurring
- Number of episodes: Over 100 episodes
- Season appearances: Seasons 4-6
From 2005 to 2006, Natasja Jacobs played the role of feisty Rita in the SABC2 soap opera 7de Laan and was shot to fame due to her performance in the soapie. She later increased her fame when she debuted in season four of Getroud Met Rugby, playing the recurring role of Amanda.
The 44-year-old actress is further known for having roles in several other TV series. They include Binnelanders, Society, Egoli: The Place of Gold, Hart van Staal, Song vir Katryn, Isidingo, Villa Rosa, Your Moves, The Lab, and Elke Skewe Pot.
32. Chantal Stanfield
- Role: Lindy
- Age: 40 years old
- Cast type: Recurring
- Number of episodes: Over 20 episodes
- Season appearances: Seasons 2 and 3
Like many other cast members of Getroud Met Rugby, Chantal Stanfield also had a role in the SABC2 soap opera, 7de Laan, portraying the character of Cecile Whittaker, for which she is best known. She debuted as Lindy in the Afrikaans language drama series GMR in the second season and left after reprising her role in the third season.
Chantal’s birthdate is July 8th, 1983. She attended the University of Cape Town’s Drama School and graduated in 2005 with a BA in Theatre and Performance. She made her professional acting debut in Mixed Metaphors the following year. Subsequently, she landed roles in KykNET’s Geraldina die Tweede and Mzansi Magic’s series, S.I.E.S. She also featured in musical stage shows such as 80’s All-Stars and Rhythm’s Gonna Get You.
Conclusion
With Getroud Met Rugby running for six seasons, the TV series has featured many South African actors, and most of them are well-respected Afrikaans stars. While some of them are featured in the feature film of the same name, Getroud Met Rugby – Die Onvertelde Storie, the majority of the characters in the soapie are played by new cast members.
The feature film was first released before the soapie, and it premiered in March 2011. Having a compelling narrative storyline, Getroud Met Rugby: Die Soapie has landed many awards, including SAFTA’s Goldern Horn Award for Best Achievement in Art Direction/Production Design in a TV Soap (2019) and SAFTA’s Goldern Horn Award for Best Achievement in Script in TV Soap (2020).
