Springbok Wyness dies
Wang Wyness died on Sunday 6 November 2011 after a battle against cancer. He was a Springbok centre in the early 1960s.
The Lions came in 1962 and it was expected that the established Springboks John Gainsford and Dave Stewart would be the centre-pairing but Stewart was injured and the selectors sprung something of a surprise when they chose Wang Wyness of Hamiltons who played his first of five seasons for Western Province in 1962.
It was a four-Test series and Wyness played in all four Tests. The series ended 3-0 in South Africa’s favour after the first was drawn. It could have been different.
The first Test, played at Ellis Park before 75 000 spectators, was drawn. John Gainsford scored a great try in the first half and the Lions equalled the score with a magnificent try that saw Ken Jones run half the length of the field for the try. The Springboks won the second Test in Durban 3-0 though the Lions believed that they had scored a push-over try, In the third Test the score was 3-3 when Mike Weston passed to Ken Jones close to the Lions’ line but Wyness sailed into the Welshman who dropped the ball. Keith Oxlee picked up and scored. The Springboks’ won 8-3 and clinched the series. In the Fourth Test in Bloemfontein Wyness scored the first try of the Test when Gainsford put him in the clear. Wyness then made the second Springbok try when he put Mannetjies Roux over. He then made a try for Gainsford in a great display by the Springboks who won 34-14.
The strong Wallabies came in 1963 and Stewart was back at centre for the first Test which the Springboks won but he missed the second Test and Wyness played his fifth Test, which the Wallabies won at Newlands 9-5.
Melville Richard Kenneth Wyness was born on Colesberg on 23 January 1937. He inherited his nickname from his older brother who acquired it at Marist Brothers’ College in Rondebosch. It stuck with the younger brother throughout his life. He moved on from Marist Brothers to Sea Point Boys’ High and then played for Hamiltons for 12 seasons.
He retired from building to Onrus, a particularly popular man. He died at home, survived by his wife Alma, his three daughters, Alison, Debbie and Barbara, and their husbands, Mario, Andrew and Stephan, and six grandchildren.
