Dawie de Villiers Biography

A jack of all trades, Dawie de Villiers, enjoyed a variety of careers ranging from politician to church minister. Of the different paths he walked, his most notable is arguably donning the green and gold.

The lawman was born in July 1940, and moved around a number of times before finally graduating at Hoerskool Bellville. He started his rugby career at Western Province, after studying at the University of Stellenbosch. He stayed at the Cape Town side for five years.

He would enter the fray at the perfect time as Western Province was on a dominating streak at the time. Dawie de Villiers would help himself and his team to two Currie Cup trophies during his tenure there.

He was spotted showing incredible agility at a young age and made his international debut for the Springboks at the ripe age of 22. This, at one of the biggest stages Springbok test rugby can host: the British & Irish Lions Tours.

The nimble scrumhalf won his debut match against the visitors 3 - 0, and would assist in securing the series win with a 3 - 1 - 0 split (3 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses).

Having studied theology and gaining honours in philosophy, Dawie de Villiers was quite the speaker. At the age of 25 he became the Springbok captain, but would lose his first game leading the South African side against the All Blacks.

Five years at Western Province was enough for the scrumhalf, and he decided to join local rivals, Boland Cavaliers. He stayed there for three years, but did not find the same success.

His final year was spent playing for the Lions in 1970, which was also the year he retired from international rugby.

Dawie de Villiers captained the Springboks up until his last game in September 1970. Coincidentally, he would win his final game against the All Blacks by three points, after losing his first game as captain against the New Zealand side by three. A lovely wrap on a stellar career for the talented scrumhalf.

The inspiring captain managed a 68% win rate for his international tests. He also scored three tries during his time in green and gold, and started every game he played.

The legend was nippy with the ball, and clinical in the build up. Both great traits for a scrumhalf, but taken to the next level by the sheer talent of Dawie de Villiers.