Houston SaberCats
Full nameHouston SaberCats
Founded2017 (2017)
LocationHouston, Texas
Ground(s)SaberCats Stadium (Capacity: 4,000)
PresidentMike Sheehan
Coach(es)Pote Human
Captain(s)TBA
Top scorerSam Windsor (432)
Most triesSam Windsor (14)
League(s)Major League Rugby
2023Elimination round
3rd (Western Conference)
Team kit
Official website
www.houstonsabercats.com

The Houston SaberCats are an American professional rugby union team based in Houston, Texas. The team was founded in 2017 and competes in Major League Rugby,[1] the top-level rugby union competition in the United States and Canada that played its first season in 2018. The SaberCats organization was born from one of the founding amateur rugby clubs that pooled resources to emerge professionally, and were the first in MLR membership to build a rugby-specific stadium intended for MLR competition.

Home field

Houston plays their games in SaberCats Stadium, which was opened on April 13, 2019.[2] In February 2018, the City of Houston agreed to fund $3.2 million of the $15.25 million needed to build a permanent rugby stadium for use by the Houston SaberCats at Houston Sports Park.[3] On July 17, the SaberCats announced that a three-year naming rights were awarded to British multinational software and technology company Aveva, and that it would be initially known as "Aveva Stadium".[4] Following this deal, the venue became known as "SaberCats Stadium".

Houston Sports Park is also the permanent training ground for Major League Soccer soccer team Houston Dynamo as well as the Houston Dash women's soccer team.

During the 2018 regular season, the SaberCats played their home matches at Dyer Stadium[5] and trained at Athlete Training and Health in Houston. The team also played at Constellation Field, home of the Sugar Land Skeeters, for part of the 2019 season, and for their exhibition matches in 2017 and 2018.[6] Also, in April 2019, while the new pitch at SaberCats Stadium healed, the team returned to Dyer Stadium to play one match against San Diego before returning to SaberCats Stadium.

StadiumCapacityLocationYear(s)
Dyer Stadium6,000Houston, Texas2018
Constellation Field7,500Sugar Land, Texas2018–2019
SaberCats Stadium4,000Houston, Texas2019–present

Broadcasts

  • 2019 home games were shown on KUBE-TV an independent station in Houston.

Sponsorship

Season Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor Other Shirt sponsor(s)
2018–2019 XBlades Aveva None
2020 Paladin Sports
2021 Lone Star College System
2022 Live Oak Vodka None
2023 None

Players and personnel

Current squad

The Houston SaberCats squad for the 2024 Major League Rugby season is:[7]

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

Player Position Union
Tiaan Erasmus Hooker South Africa South Africa
Seth Smith Hooker United States United States
Will Vakalahi Hooker United States United States
Robb Cobb Prop New Zealand New Zealand
Pono Davis Prop United States United States
Valdemar Lee-Lo Prop United States United States
Ezekiel Lindenmuth Prop Samoa Samoa
Maks van Dyk Prop South Africa South Africa
Justin Basson Lock South Africa South Africa
Nathan Den Hoedt Lock Australia Australia
Siaosi Mahoni Lock United States United States
Johan Momsen Lock South Africa South Africa
Marno Redelinghuys Lock South Africa South Africa
Emmanuel Albert Back row United States United States
Orrin Bizer Back row United States United States
Asa Carter Back row United States United States
Ronan Murphy Back row United States United States
Keni Nasoqeqe Back row United States United States
Gideon van Wyk Back row South Africa South Africa
Player Position Union
Carlo de Nysschen* Scrum-half South Africa South Africa
AJ Alatimu Fly-half Samoa Samoa
Davy Coetzer Fly-half South Africa South Africa
Max Schumacher Fly-half United States United States
Dom Akina Centre United States United States
Sam Hill Centre England England
Tautalatasi Tasi Centre Australia Australia
Louritz van der Schyff Centre South Africa South Africa
Drake Davis Wing United States United States
Christian Dyer Wing United States United States
Gerrie Labuschagné Wing South Africa South Africa
Jeremy Misailegalu Wing United States United States
Seimou Smith Wing United States United States
Line Latu Fullback United States United States
Drew Wild Fullback New Zealand New Zealand
  • Senior 15s and senior 7s internationally capped players are listed in bold.
  • * denotes players qualified to play for the United States on dual nationality or residency grounds.
  • MLR teams are allowed to field up to ten overseas players per match.

Current Coaching staff

  • Pote Human (Head Coach)
  • Ryan Nell (Assistant Coach – backs)
  • Jon Hood (Strength & Conditioning Coach)

Head coaches

Former Assistant Coaches

Captains

Records

Season standings

Season Conference Regular season Postseason
Pos Pld W D L F A +/− BP Pts Pld W L F A +/− Result
2018 - 7th8107216256−40711------Did not qualify
2019 - 7th166010345496−151630------Did not qualify
2020[lower-alpha 1] Western 6th510499116−1726------Cancelled
2021 Western 6th162014274550-276513------Did not qualify
2022 Western 3rd16907408393+1512481012746-19Lost West Conference Final (Seattle Seawolves) 27–46
2023 Western 3rd161006484413+7113531012637-11Lost West Conference Eliminator Game (Seattle Seawolves) 26-37
Totals77290481,8262,224-398321081012746-192 postseason appearances

Notes

  1. ↑ 2020 regular season shortened and playoffs cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.


2018 season

Exhibition

DateOpponentHome/AwayResult
November 18, 2017Dallas RedsAwayWon, 31–24
December 2, 2017Dallas HarlequinsAwayWon, 125–0
December 9, 2017Austin BlacksAwayWon, 46–31
December 9, 2017Austin BlacksAwayWon, 55–14
December 16, 2017Dallas RedsHomeWon, 21–5
January 6, 2018Seattle SaracensAwayWon, 50–7
January 13, 2018Vancouver RavensAwayLost, 23–26
January 20, 2018Uruguay National TeamHomeLost, 24–32
January 27, 2018James Bay Athletic ClubHomeWon, 42–13
February 3, 2018Capital SelectsHomeWon, 49–3
February 10, 2018Chicago LionsHomeWon, 60–10
February 17, 2018New York Athletic ClubAwayWon, 39–38
February 24, 2018New Orleans GoldHomeWon, 30–12
March 3, 2018Ontario ArrowsHomeDraw, 28–28
March 24, 2018New Orleans GoldAwayDraw, 32–32
April 7, 2018San Diego LegionAwayWon, 33–17

Regular season

DateOpponentHome/AwayResult
April 21New Orleans GoldHomeLost, 26–35
April 28Austin EliteHomeWon, 50–38
May 4San Diego LegionAwayLost, 32–35
May 19New Orleans GoldAwayLost, 26–35
May 26Utah WarriorsHomeLost, 30–36
June 2Seattle SeawolvesHomeLost, 7–20
June 9Glendale RaptorsAwayLost, 24–37
June 23Utah WarriorsAwayLost, 27–31

2019 season

Exhibition

DateOpponentHome/AwayResult
December 1, 2018Austin BlacksAwayWon, 78–12
December 8, 2018Dallas RedsAwayWon, 34–8
January 11, 2019Austin EliteHomeLost, 10–14
January 19, 2019Glendale RaptorsHomeLost, 21–36

Regular season

DateOpponentHome/AwayVenueResult
January 26Austin EliteAwayDell DiamondWon, 21–20
February 9San Diego LegionAwayTorero StadiumLost, 13–17
February 22Toronto ArrowsHomeConstellation FieldLost, 27–44
March 2Rugby United New YorkHomeConstellation FieldLost, 8–35
March 10Seattle SeawolvesAwayStarfire SportsLost, 14–27
March 16New Orleans GoldHomeConstellation FieldLost, 11–49
March 23Utah WarriorsHomeConstellation FieldWon, 29–27
April 6Glendale RaptorsAwayInfinity ParkLost, 44–52
April 13Seattle SeawolvesHomeAveva StadiumLost, 12–52
April 21Toronto ArrowsAwayYork StadiumLost, 21–35
April 27San Diego LegionHomeDyer StadiumLost, 19–41
May 5Rugby United New YorkAwayMCU ParkLost, 0–21
May 18New Orleans GoldAwayArchbishop Shaw StadiumWon, 27–20
May 25Austin EliteHomeAveva StadiumWon, 36–15
May 29Glendale RaptorsHomeAveva StadiumWon, 32–17
June 1Utah WarriorsAwayZions Bank StadiumWon, 31–27

2020 season

On March 12, 2020, MLR announced the season would go on hiatus immediately for 30 days due to fears surrounding the 2019–2020 coronavirus pandemic.[13] It was cancelled the following week[14]

Regular season

DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
February 8Colorado RaptorsHomeAveva StadiumWon, 21–12
February 16Toronto ArrowsNeutralLas Vegas BallparkLost, 22–27
February 22Old Glory DCHomeAveva StadiumLost, 13–22
March 1Rugby United New YorkHomeAveva StadiumLost, 23–31
March 7Austin GilgronisHomeAveva StadiumLost, 20–24
March 14New England Free JacksAwayUnion Point Sports ComplexCancelled
March 21Seattle SeawolvesAwayStarfire StadiumCancelled
April 5San Diego LegionAwayTorero StadiumCancelled
April 11Utah WarriorsHomeAveva StadiumCancelled
April 18Colorado RaptorsAwayInfinity ParkCancelled
April 26Austin GilgronisAwayRound Rock Multipurpose ComplexCancelled
May 2Seattle SeawolvesHomeAveva StadiumCancelled
May 9New Orleans GoldAwayGold MineCancelled
May 16San Diego LegionHomeAveva StadiumCancelled
May 23Rugby ATLHomeAveva StadiumCancelled
May 30Utah WarriorsAwayZions Bank StadiumCancelled

2021 season

Regular season

DateOpponentHome/AwayResult
March 20Seattle SeawolvesHomeWon, 30–24
March 27New England Free JacksHomeLost, 0–32
April 3Austin GilgronisAwayLost, 0–26
April 10San Diego LegionHomeWon, 34–32
April 17LA GiltinisHomeLost, 48–33
April 24Utah WarriorsAwayLost, 50–43
May 8New Orleans GoldAwayLost, 26–28
May 15Toronto ArrowsHomeLost, 10–19
May 22Old Glory DCHomeLost, 13–21
May 29San Diego LegionAwayLost, 11–39
June 5Austin GilgronisHomeLost, 9–28
June 13LA GiltinisAwayLost, 5–52
June 19Rugby ATLAwayLost, 15–33
June 26Utah WarriorsHomeLost, 5–24
July 10Rugby United New YorkAwayLost, 19–54
July 15Seattle SeawolvesAwayLost, 21-40

2022 season

Regular season

DateOpponentHome/AwayResult
February 5LA GiltinisHomeWon, 21–11
February 12Rugby New YorkHomeLost, 7-10
February 19Dallas JackalsAwayWon, 38–33
February 26San Diego LegionHomeLost, 20-31
March 5Rugby ATLAwayLost, 22-29
March 12Seattle SeawolvesHomeWon 21-19
March 26Utah WarriorsAwayWon, 28-12
April 3Austin GilgronisAwayLost, 5-45
April 9Dallas JackalsHomeWon, 31-6
April 16LA GiltinisAwayLost, 12-17
April 23Toronto ArrowsHomeWon, 29-17
May 8San Diego LegionAwayWon, 34-24
May 14Utah WarriorsHomeWon, 31-27
May 21Old Glory DCAwayWon, 59-42
May 27Seattle SeawolvesAwayLost, 36-43
June 3Austin GilgronisHomeLost, 14-29

Post season

RoundDateOpponentHome/AwayResult
West Conference FinalsJune 18Seattle SeawolvesHomeLost, 27-46

2023 season

Regular season

DateOpponentHome/AwayResult
February 19Dallas JackalsAwayWon, 33-12
February 25NOLA GoldHomeWon, 35-14
March 5San Diego LegionHomeWon, 31-26
March 11Seattle SeawolvesAwayLost, 12-24
March 25Rugby ATLHomeWon, 40-28
April 2Chicago HoundsAwayWon, 38-21
April 8Utah WarriorsHomeLost, 24-30
April 15Dallas JackalsHomeWon, 33-21
April 23New York IronworkersAwayWon, 34-27
April 30San Diego LegionAwayLost, 16-29
May 13Seattle SeawolvesHomeLost, 17-34
May 20Utah WarriorsAwayLost, 28-34
May 27Chicago HoundsHomeWon, 40-33
June 3Toronto ArrowsAwayWon, 48-26
June 9 Old Glory DC Home Won, 31-7
June 18 New England Free Jacks Away Lost, 24-47

Post season

RoundDateOpponentHome/AwayResult
West Conference Eliminator RoundJune 24Seattle SeawolvesAwayLost, 26-37

Notes

    References

    1. ↑ "Major League Rugby – As It Stands". Americas Rugby News. 2017-08-01. Retrieved 2018-01-23.
    2. ↑ "SaberCats fall to Seawolves in first match played at AVEVA Stadium". Houston Chronicle. April 13, 2019. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
    3. ↑ Schneider, Andrew (2018-02-07). "Houston City Council Approved $3.2 Million Deal To Build A New Rugby Stadium". Houston Public Media. Retrieved 2018-04-07.
    4. ↑ "SaberCats, city to break ground on new AVEVA Stadium late July". KHOU. July 19, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
    5. ↑ Gorman, Jack (2018-03-05). "Houston SaberCats Announce New Temporary Home". Houston Press. Retrieved 2018-03-05.
    6. ↑ Dart, Tom (2018-01-22). "Houston? No problem – SaberCats bullish about latest US rugby venture". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 2018-01-23. Retrieved 2018-01-23.
    7. ↑ "Houston SaberCats". Americas Rugby News. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
    8. ↑ "Houston? No problem – SaberCats bullish about latest US rugby venture". The Guardian. January 22, 2018. Retrieved January 22, 2018.
    9. ↑ "Paul Emerick takes helm of SaberCats". Houston Chronicle. May 2, 2019. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
    10. ↑ "New Coach Announced Ahead of 2020 Season". August 6, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2019.
    11. ↑ "Pote Human to join Heyneke Meyer at American Major League outfit". Sport24. September 6, 2021. Retrieved September 7, 2021.
    12. ↑ "MLR 2022 - Houston SaberCats vs LA Giltinis - ARN Guide". Americas Rugby News. 2022-02-04. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
    13. ↑ Anonymous, "MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY SUSPENDS 2020 SEASON FOR 30 DAYS," www.majorleague.rugby, March 12, 2020 Retrieved March 14, 2020
    14. ↑ "Major League Rugby cancels remainder of 2020 campaign". Yahoo! Sports. AFP. March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
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