Jordan Els signed with Northampton Saints after a successful trial period at the start of the 2026/27 season – penning a deal to remain at the Club until the end of that campaign in October.

The loosehead prop arrived at DPD Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens over the summer off that term, with Saints temporarily short of front-row resources due to injuries to Oliver Scola and Luke Green, and the international commitments of Emmanuel Iyogun and Danilo Fischetti.

Born in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, Els came through the Sharks’ Academy system before making the step into senior rugby in 2018. Midway through the 2018/19 campaign, the prop moved to the Northern Hemisphere to join Championship outfit Ealing Trailfinders.

A season later, Els earned a move to Gallagher PREM side Harlequins, joining the London club midway through the 2019/20 season. The following campaign saw him make 16 appearances across all competitions, including 14 in the league as Quins secured the PREM title.

Over seven seasons at Harlequins, Els went on to make 58 first-team appearances, while also gaining experience on loan with London Scottish, before joining Northampton on a short-term deal.

The prop became Saint #2140 when he started Saints’ second PREM Rugby Cup fixture of the 2026/27 season against Harlequins in September, before making his first Investec Champions Cup appearance for Saints against Cardiff Rugby and then signing his full-time contract the following month.