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
Date of birth	(1934-03-23)23 March 1934
Place of birth	Johannesburg, South Africa
Date of death	15 August 2018(2018-08-15) (aged 84)
Place of death	Johannesburg, South Africa
Height	188 cm (6 ft 2 in)
Weight	94 kg (207 lb)
School	Rossmore
Rugby union career
Position(s) 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

References

1. Schoeman, Chris (2015). South Africa's Rugby Legends: The Amateur Years. Penguin Random House South Africa. ISBN 9781770227897.
2. "Legendary Springbok flank passes away". News 24. 18 August 2018.
3. "Unimpressive Win By S. Africans". The Canberra Times. 8 July 1963. p. 20. Retrieved 4 April 2022 – via National Library of Australia.
4. "Strongman Pelser Dies". rugby365.com. 16 August 2018.

External links

• Martin Pelser at ESPNscrum