A hard as nails scrumhalf with amazing service, Claasens earned eight caps for the Springboks. He made his breakthrough with the Cheetahs under-21 in 2002 and went on to play Vodacom Cup for the senior side the follow year.
In 2004 he signed for the Stormers Super Rugby side and was selected in the Springbok November internationals squad.
He made his debut against Wales at Cardiff on 6 November 2004 at the age of 22.
The Cats signed Claasens for the 2004 Super Rugby season and the scrumhalf stayed with side until the side was spilt into the Cheetahs and Lions for the 2007 Super 14 competition.
His performances with the Cheetahs earned him a spot in the 2007 Springbok squad ahead of the Tri-Nations (now Rugby Championship).
He played his last international match for the Springboks against New Zealand in Christchurch and joined the Bath ahead of the 2007/8 Premiership season.
Claassens spent 6 years at Bath and helped the side win the European Challenge Cup in his first season before he was courted by French side Toulon in 2013.
He won the European Championship and Top 14 title with the French club and following the conclusion of the 2014/15 season Claassens returned to South Africa to join Durban-based side the Sharks.
Ahead of the 2018 Super Rugby season Claassen has 58 Super Rugby caps and has scored 1 try.
Feb 18
JW
Career
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Stormers Scrum Half |
2004 - 2004 |
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Cheetahs Scrum Half |
2005 - 2007 |
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South Africa Scrum Half |
2004 - 2007 |
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Bath Rugby Scrum Half |
2007 - 2013 |
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RC Toulon Scrum Half |
2013 - 2015 |
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Sharks Scrum Half |
|
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Natal Sharks Scrum Half |
2015 - 2018 |
