Jeremy Nel
South African rugby union player (1934–2023)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jeremy John Nel (21 September 1934 – 25 June 2023) was a South African rugby union player.[1]
21 September 1934
Nel in New Zealand in 1956 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | Jeremy John Nel 21 September 1934 Louis Trichardt, Transvaal | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Died | 25 June 2023 (aged 88) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.86 m (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 86 kg (190 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Potchefstroom High School for Boys | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Stellenbosch University | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing career
Nel matriculated in Potchefstroom and while he was still at school and at the age of seventeen, he made his senior provincial debut for Western Transvaal. After school he went to Rhodes University where he spend a year and played for Eastern Province. After his year at Rhodes he moved to Stellenbosch University and in 1955 was selected for Western Province. Nel also played provincial rugby for Boland, Transvaal and the Free State, thus for six provincial teams, which was a record for the time.[2]
Nel toured with the Springboks to Australia and New Zealand in 1956. He played in all six test matches during the tour with his debut against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, scoring a try on debut. In 1958 he played two test matches against France.[3] Nel played eight test matches and fifteen tour matches for the Springboks, scoring one test try and also twenty nine points in tour matches, including 8 tries.[4] Nel died on June 25, 2023 at the age of 88.[5]
Test history
| No. | Opponents | Results (SA 1st) | Position | Tries | Dates | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |  Australia | 9–0 | Centre | 1 | 26 May 1956 | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney |
| 2. | Australia | 9–0 | Centre | 2 Jun 1956 | Brisbane Exhibition Ground, Brisbane | |
| 3. |  New Zealand | 6–10 | Centre | 14 Jul 1956 | Carisbrook, Dunedin | |
| 4. | New Zealand | 8–3 | Centre | 4 Aug 1956 | Athletic Park, Wellington | |
| 5. | New Zealand | 10–17 | Centre | 18 Aug 1956 | Lancaster Park, Christchurch | |
| 6. | New Zealand | 5–11 | Centre | 1 Sep 1956 | Eden Park, Auckland | |
| 7. |  France | 3–3 | Centre | 26 Jul 1958 | Newlands, Cape Town | |
| 8. | France | 5–9 | Flyhalf | 16 Aug 1958 | Ellis Park, Johannesburg |
See also
- List of South Africa national rugby union players – Springbok no. 329