Fabian Holland (born 9 October 2002) is a Dutch rugby union player, who currently plays as a lock for Otago in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition[1] and for the Highlanders in Super Rugby.
That is why Holland went to New Zealand in early 2019 to study and play rugby at Christchurch Boys' High School.
Thanks to the contacts of an acquaintance from his rugby club in Castricum, who was also active in New Zealand, Holland was able to book a ticket.
After graduating from high school in Christchurch, several major clubs lined up for the rugby player, including the successful team from the city, the Crusaders.
Nevertheless, the Dutchman chose the Under 20 of the Highlanders from Dunedin, because they had a plan there about how he could develop further as a rugby player and student.
He initially arrived in 2019 for a six-month period at Christchurch Boys' High School, where he played for the first XV.
[3][4] The COVID-19 pandemic, which largely paralyzed the sports world, did not throw a spanner in the works for Holland.
Eventually the message got through, after which Holland contacted his parents at two o'clock in the morning Dutch time.
However, it is not that far yet, because to be eligible for the prestigious team you have to live in New Zealand for five years from the age of eighteen.
[4] On 23 June 2022, the Highlanders announced that Holland had signed a three-year (fully professional) contract with the Dunedin-based franchise.