A physical flank with great speed, Cloete was a standout for Border U18s and made the 2009 South African School team. He represented the Border Bulldogs at the 2004 Under-13 Craven Week, the 2006 Under-16 Grant Khomo Week and at the Under-18 Craven Week competitions in both 2008 and 2009.
Joining the Sharks Academy after school, Chris represented the U19 and U21 teams before making his senior Sharks debut in the 2012 Vodacom Cup. 2013 saw the loose forward playing for Western Province in the Vodacom Cup. After a brief stint at Kandy FC in Sri Lanka, Cloete made his way back to Cape Town where he represented the countries oldest club, Hamilton SP RFC. A stand out 2015 saw him selected for the Western Province Currie Cup side.
Cloete moved to the Southern Kings ahead of their return to Super Rugby in 2016 and became a regular member of the Kings squad earning 10 caps during the 2016 Super Rugby season. In June 2017, he was named in the South African A team for the two-match series against the French Barbarians.
A month later, the flanker signed a three-year deal with Irish province Munster and joined the side ahead of the 2017/18 PRO12 season. He made his debut for the province against Welsh side Dragons in a 2017/18 Pro14 fixture in 2017.
The exciting flanker continued to impress at Munster and added a further two his onto his three-year deal with Munster, keeping at the club until 2022.
Cloete could turn out for Ireland once he qualifies on residency grounds and as of May 2020, he has made 40 appearances for Munster, and has scored 25 points.
Career
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Hamilton SP RFC Openside Flanker |
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Natal Sharks Openside Flanker |
2012 - 2012 |
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NMMU Madibaz Openside Flanker |
2014 - 2015 |
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Western Province Openside Flanker |
2015 - 2015 |
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Pumas Openside Flanker |
2016 - 2016 |
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Southern Kings Openside Flanker |
2016 - 2017 |
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Selborne College Openside Flanker |
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South Africa A Openside Flanker |
2017 - 2019 |
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Munster Rugby Openside Flanker |
2017 - 2022 |
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Bath Rugby Openside Flanker |
2022 - 2024 |
