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.

Rugby career

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

Martin Pelser

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.

Martin Pelser

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.

Martin Pelser

See also

List of South Africa national rugby union players

References

External links

1934 births

2018 deaths

Afrikaner people

South African rugby union players

South Africa international rugby union players

Rugby union flankers

Rugby union players from Johannesburg

South African rugby league players

South Africa national rugby league team players

Rugby league second-rows

Rugby league players from Gauteng

Golden Lions players

Sportspeople with a vision impairment