Niel qualified in 2002 at Onderstepoort University of Pretoria. He joined the EmbryoPlus Team in Brits, North West, specialising in semen freezing, embryo flushing and transfers.
In 2004 he went abroad, working at various equine practices in the United Kingdom , gaining experience in general equine disciplines including polo, sporthorses, race and track work, stud work and dentistry.
He returned to South Africa in 2007, joining Fourways Equine Clinic, concentrating on racehorse work and equine reproduction.
In 2014 he joined Croft Animal Hospital in the Southern Cape, heading up the equine side of the practice, again focusing on reproduction work and gained experience in wildlife immobilisation, quite enjoying hanging out of helicopters darting.
He recently joined the Vetscape team, focusing on reproduction work.