Marius Janse van Rensburg obtained his BProc degree at the University of the Free State (UFS) in 1987. He was admitted as attorney on 1 October 1992 and has been practising under the name of Horn & Van Rensburg Attorneys in Bloemfontein for the past 27 years.

Mr Van Rensburg joined the management team of the UFS Rugby Club in 1996 as team manager of one of the junior teams. Since then, he has served in the management structures of the club in various capacities for an uninterrupted period of 23 years, including as vice-chairman from 2000 to 2005. He was elected as chairman in 2006, a position he still holds, making him the longest-serving chairman in the history of the club. He was chairman of the club when the UFS Shimlas won the Varsity Cup in 2015. 

He furthermore serves on the following structures, where he ensures that the interests of the UFS Rugby Club are well looked after: the Free State Rugby Union Board for the past 14 years, from 2006 to date; the Varsity Cup Board of Directors from 2009 to date; the Board of Directors of Cheetahs (Pty) Ltd, from 2017 to date.

He also served on the Free State Rugby Union Executive Committee from 2008 to 2011. He acted as Citing Commissioner for the South African Rugby Union (SARU) from 2012 to 2018, as well as for the Guinness Pro 14 competition from 2017 to 2018. Among others, he was Citing Commissioner for the World Rugby Sevens Series in Port Elizabeth in 2014, and for the Beachcomber World Club 10s tournament in Mauritius in 2018.

The fact that Mr Van Rensburg has devoted himself to unreservedly serve the interests of the UFS Rugby Club and the University of the Free State for the past 23 years, undoubtedly makes him a worthy nominee for the Executive Management Award. His inspiring, unwavering leadership – for which he has received no remuneration over the years – has persuaded many rugby players and other individuals alike to join the ranks of the UFS Rugby Club, which has cemented its position as one of the leading amateur rugby clubs in South Africa under his guidance.

His contribution to ensure the smooth running of the UFS Rugby Club over such an extended period of time is indeed something to behold, especially in light of the fact that he has done this while running a very busy and successful law firm.

Apart from rugby, Mr Van Rensburg likes to play golf in his free time.