Ethan Hooker is a South African rugby player who plays as a centre and wing for the Sharks and the Springboks.
Hooker brought a breath of fresh air to many Springboks fans after the ageing squad lost several games in 2025. Coach Rassie Erasmus dropped many senior players and brought in a young-looking squad, with Hooker included. His stellar performances made him one of the fans’ favourites.
At the end of 2025, he was named among the nominees for the 2025 SA Rugby Young Player of the Year. Off the pitch, Ethan leads a well-balanced lifestyle; no wonder he did not believe he would succeed in a rugby career until 2021.
SUMMARY
Full name: Ethan Hooker
Date of birth: 20 January 2003
Age: 23 years
Place of birth: Westville, South Africa
Girlfriend: Ashleigh Gm
Children: none
Father: Craig Hooker
Mother: Lorraine Hooker
Height: 1.94 m
Weight: 100 kg
ETHAN HOOKER’S FAMILY, GIRLFRIEND
Ethan Hooker was born to his parents, Craig and Lorraine Hooker. Even though little is known about his close family, they have strongly supported him and played a significant role in his rise.
Even when he himself doubted his qualities, they stood by him, pushing him to become the professional rugby player he is today.
When it comes to love, Ethan has revealed his intimate relationship with a woman named Ashleigh Gm. The two lovebirds are not yet engaged or married as of January 2026. However, Ashleigh has shown her good side, supporting Ethan through thick and thin.
Shoeing her support upon Ethan’s Springboks debut, Ashleigh penned a lengthy message that impressed fans.
“Just wow. @ethan__hooker your first springbok cap🇿🇦. A moment that left me overflowing with pride and emotion. Watching you run onto the field to represent our country was a feeling like nothing I’ve ever experienced. It was watching all the hard work, the sacrifices, the discipline, and the pure love come to life. There’s a first for everything, and I was welcomed so warmly by the most incredible group of partners. I left feeling not only grateful for the experience, but also so inspired by the genuine community I’ve just become a part of,” she said.
“This journey is just beginning, and I am beyond excited for what’s to come. I am so proud of you for your determination, your heart, and the way you carry yourself on and off the field. Here’s to many more caps, more memories, and to walking this beautiful journey together with all my love for you. ❤️” She finished showing her love and support.
EARLY LIFE AND BABY STEPS INTO RUGBY
Born and bred in Durban, Ethan Hookeralways loved rugby, a fan and an aspiring player.
Ethan attended Westville Boys’ High School, where he began his rugby journey. During High School, Ethan mainly played as a loose forward but later moved to the backcourt.
Unfortunately, Hooker was deemed not good enough by his coaches at a young age despite having good physical attributes. As a result, no club signed him, and he even believed he would not have a successful rugby career.
“Even in 2021, I never saw rugby as a realistic future for me,” says the Springboks star. “It was only when I got game time as a Sharks junior a year later that I thought this is what I want as a career, that this could happen,” he said.
INSIDE ETHAN HOOKER’S LIFESTYLE (CARS AND MORE)
Besides being a top and promising rugby player, Ethan also commands a lot of attention after the final whistle.
From expensive vacations to driving top wheels, Ethan has glued fans to his social handles, especially Instagram. The first notable thing about Ethan is his close relationship with his girlfriend, Ashleigh. The two lovebirds love going out on dates at fancy restaurants and also outdoors to events like fishing.
Besides fishing, Ethan loves going out with his friends and hanging out whenever he gets some free time. When it comes to wheels, Ethan drives an expensive Ford double-cab truck.
CAREER
The call to train with the Sharks proved to be the spark that Ethan Hooker needed, as he impressed and signed the contract. A few months later, he signed his professional contract, making his debut in 2023 against Connacht.
He was also part of the 2024 Sharks squad that won the EPCR Challenge Cup. Finishing the year 2024 strong, he started in the 2024 Currie Cup final, where he played a significant role in the Lions’ defeat.
Since then, Ethan Hooker has become one of the key players for the Sharks.
SPRINGBOKS
After impressing with the Sharks and the under-20 national team, Ethan Hooker attracted the attention of the Springboks coaches.
He made his debut as a substitute against Italy in July 2025 and again during a defeat against the All Blacks. He later made his Springboks start in a record-breaking win against the All Blacks in Wellington.
Thanks to his top performances in 2025, Ethan Hooker was nominated for the World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year award. He was a nominee for the SA Rugby Young Player of the year alongside others like Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Canan Moodie.