Basil Kenyon

Basil John Kenyon (19 May 1918 – 9 May 1996) was a South African rugby union player.^[1]

Basil Kenyon

Birth name	Basil John Kenyon
Date of birth	(1918-05-19)19 May 1918
Place of birth	Umtata, Cape Province
Date of death	9 May 1996(1996-05-09) (aged 77)
Place of death	Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	87 kg (192 lb)
School	Umtata High School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Flank Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) Border () International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1949 South Africa 1 (0)

Biography

Kenyon was born in Umtata, and grew up in the Transkei. He joined the SA forces during the World War II in North Africa and Italy. On return to South Africa he moved to East London to join Border.

In 1949, Kenyon was selected to make his debut for the Springboks in the fourth and final test match against the All Blacks and was also named captain.^[2] He was the appointed captain of the Springbok team to tour Britain, Ireland and France in 1951. Kenyon played in five tour matches and in the match against Pontypool, he injured his eye so severely that it ended his tour and he never played rugby again. In his 5 tour matches he scored 13 points, which included 2 tries, 2 conversions and a penalty goal.^[3]

After his playing days, Kenyon started coaching and in 1958 he was the Springboks' coach in the Test series against France.^[4]

Test history

No.	Opponents	Results (SA 1st)	Position	Tries	Dates	Venue
1.	New Zealand	11–8	Flank (c)		17 Sep 1949	Crusaders Ground, Port Elizabeth

See also

• List of South Africa national rugby union players – Springbok no. 286

References

1. "Basil Kenyon". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 3 July 2021.
2. Jooste, Graham K. (1995). South African rugby test players 1949-1995. Johannesburg: Penguin. p. 4. ISBN 0140250174. OCLC 36916860.
3. Heath, Duane; Grieb, Eddie; Smit, Kobus (2020). South African Rugby Annual 2020. Cape Town: South African Rugby Union. p. 239. ISBN 9780620872041.
4. "Basil Kenyon". genslin.us.

Sporting positions
Preceded by Felix du Plessis	Springbok Captain 1949	Succeeded by Hennie Muller
Preceded by Danie Craven	South Africa National Rugby Union Coach 1958	Succeeded by Hennie Muller