In 2005, he was one of a number of club players included in a Griffons side that played against the Sharks in a pre-season match.
[2] This led to his inclusion in their squad for the 2005 Currie Cup competition and he made his first class debut for them in a qualifying round match against Griquas.
[3] He scored seven tries in the 2007 Currie Cup First Division season,[4] including a hat-trick in their match against the Mighty Elephants,[5] with Griffons coach, Harry Pienaar, calling Nel "devastating".
Nel only made four appearances during that competition, but remained a regular in their Vodacom Cup side.
He returned to Welkom in 2011 to rejoin the Griffons,[11] resuming where he left off by performing to such an extent that he was once again named the Griffons Back of the Year after the 2011 Currie Cup First Division season.