Alex Groves (rugby union)
| Full name | Alexander Robert Mark Groves | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | 5 January 2001 South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 207 cm (6 ft 9 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 120 kg (265 lb; 18 st 13 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | St John's College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Alex Groves (born 5 January 2001) is a South African rugby union player, who plays for the Stormers and Western Province. His preferred position is lock.[1]
Early career
Groves was born in South Africa and attended St John's College where he played rugby and earned selection for the Lions at Craven Week in 2019.[2] Groves is English qualified, and joined the Bristol Bears straight out of school in January 2020.[3] He represented the England U20 side in 2021.[4] In 2024, Groves was diagnosed with a heart condition and forced to have open-heart surgery.[5]
Professional career
Groves professional debut came with on dual-registration with Hartpury University in 2021.[6] He would debut for the Bristol Bears against the Worcester Warriors in November 2021.[7] In February 2022, he transferred to the Sale Sharks,[8] debuting in March against Wasps, however he was ineligible for this fixture with Sale receiving a points deduction.[9] Over the next two seasons, he would make eight further appearances for Sale, including one in the Premiership against Newcastle Falcons. Having recovered from open-heart surgery in early 2024, he returned to rugby on loan with Caldy, making six appearances for the side.[10] He would make two more appearances for Sale also before departing at the end of the 2024/25 season.[11]
Having departed Sale, Groves returned to South Africa, signing with the Stormers.[12] He would first represent the Western Province side in the 2025 Currie Cup Premier Division.[13] Having been named in the Stormers squad for the 2025/26 season,[14] he would join the Scarlets on loan for two fixtures in October 2025.[15] He would make his debut for the Stormers in round 3 of the 2025–26 European Rugby Champions Cup against the Harlequins.[16]
References
- ^ "Alex Groves". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ "St John's College congratulates representatives for Craven Week and Grant Khomo Week". Rosebank Killarney Gazette. 16 June 2019. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ "U20 Six Nations: Groves makes England bow, Chamberlain in Scotland action". Bristol Bears. 8 March 2020. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ "Groves and Bates to face Ireland in U20 Six Nations". Bristol Bears. 28 June 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ "'He talked to me very clearly about the urgency of my situation'". RugbyPass. 24 July 2025. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ "Loan watch: Duo help Hartpury to victory". Bristol Bears. 26 September 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ "Team news: Worcester Warriors vs Bristol Bears – PC R2". Bristol Bears. 16 November 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ "Alex Groves: Sale Sharks sign second row from Bristol Bears". BBC Sport. 15 February 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ "BREAKING: Sale Sharks handed points reduction for fielding ineligible player". Ruck.co.uk. 29 March 2022. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ "Alex Groves - Rugby saved my life". Sale Sharks. 10 February 2025. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ "Alex hails departing Sharks". Sale Sharks. 28 May 2025. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ "Towering Sale lock returns to SA". SA Rugby Magazine. 18 May 2025. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ "DHL WP change four for Joburg trip". Western Province. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ @THESTORMERS (21 August 2025). "The DHL Stormers squad that will be representing you in the 25/26 season" (Tweet). Retrieved 11 January 2026 – via X (formerly Twitter).
- ^ "Scarlets bolster squad for South African double header". Scarlets. 15 October 2025. Retrieved 11 January 2026.
- ^ "DHL Stormers go down in London". Stormers. 11 January 2026. Retrieved 11 January 2026.