Nortjé grew up in Pretoria and represented his local Blue Bulls at the Under-18 Academy Week in 2016.

He joined the Blue Bulls academy after school, and played for their Under-19 team in 2017.

[2] In 2018, Nortjé was included in the South Africa Under-20 squad for the 2018 World Rugby Under 20 Championship.

[3] He played in all three of their matches during the pool stage – a 33–27 victory over Georgia,[4] a 30–17 win over Ireland[5] and a 29–46 defeat to France.

[8] Upon his return to South Africa, he was included in the Bulls squad for their final match of the 2018 Super Rugby season against trans-Jukskei rivals the Lions,[9] and he made his Super Rugby debut by coming on as a second half replacement.