New South Wales Waratahs forward Jacques Potgieter has visited Australia’s first gay rugby club, the Sydney Convicts, to apologise for his homophobic comments.

Potgieter was fined $20,000 by the Australian Rugby Union for remarks he made during the Waratahs’ 28-13 win over the Brumbies on Sunday.

On Thursday, the South Africa-born back rower visited the Convicts, holders of the Bingham Cup – the world’s premier gay rugby competition.

• Potgieter fined for homophobic slur

“Great meeting the boys from @sydneyconvicts! Happy for the opportunity to apologize in person. Backing you guys 100%!” Potgieter posted on Instagram.

The Convicts reposted his photo, saying: “We were very honoured to have @jacquespotgieter7 with us training for tonight, wishing him the best season possible. Go tahs!”

Potgieter, who had half of his fine suspended and will undergo educational and awareness training, said on Monday that his comments were thoughtless.

“I’m very sorry for any offence caused by what I said on the field during a heated encounter,” he said in a Waratahs statement.

“It was an off-hand remark made without thought for the hurt it could cause to those around me.”