Martin Pelser

Hendrik Jacobus Martin Pelser (23 March 1934 – 15 August 2018), known as Martin Pelser, was a South African rugby union international who represented the Springboks in 11 test matches.^[1]

Martin Pelser

Full name	Hendrik Jacobus Martin Pelser
Born	(1934-03-23)23 March 1934 Johannesburg, South Africa
Died	15 August 2018(2018-08-15) (aged 84) Johannesburg, South Africa
Height	188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	94 kg (207 lb)
School	Rossmore
Rugby union career
Position Flanker Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) Transvaal International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1958–61 South Africa 11 (6)

Rugby career

Born in Johannesburg, Pelser attended Rossmore Junior High School and played his provincial rugby for Transvaal.^[2]

Pelser debuted for the Springboks against France at Cape Town in 1958 and played his entire test career as a flanker. In 1960 he scored the only try in South Africa's 8–3 win over the All Blacks in Port Elizabeth. His test career ended when he switched codes and he earned selection for the South Africa national rugby league team, as a second-rower.^[3]

All Black Colin Meads described him as "one of the hardest, most skilful players in any position" that he had played against. His iconic glass eye appearance was the result of a childhood car accident.^[4]

See also

• List of South Africa national rugby union players