Springbok no. 128 · Forward

Boy Morkel

William Herman Morkel · WP, Lions

9Tests

2Tries

2Tours

25Age at debut

Test career

191019151921

First test

3 Sep 1910, age 25 · Forward v Britain, Newlands, Cape Town

Last test

17 Sep 1921, age 36 · Eighthman v New Zealand, Athletic Park, Wellington

Biography

Boy Morkel was a big, skilful forward whose Test career spanned more than a decade. Born in Somerset West on 2 January 1885, he played for Western Province and later Transvaal.

He made his debut in the 21–5 win over the British Isles in 1910 and scored tries against Scotland and France on the 1912–13 Grand Slam tour. In 1921 he captained South Africa in all three Tests of the first series in New Zealand, which was drawn 1–1. He played his last Test at 36. He remained a passionate guardian of the game’s traditions. He died on 6 February 1955.

Test history

9 tests · 3 as captain · 6 points

Date	Opponent	Venue	Position	Result	Province
03 Sep 1910	Britain	Newlands, Cape Town	Forward	W 21–5	WP
23 Nov 1912	Scotland	Inverleith, Edinburgh	Forward	W 16–0	WP
30 Nov 1912	Ireland	Aviva Stadium (Lansdowne Road), Dublin	Forward	W 38–0	WP
14 Dec 1912	Wales	Millennium Stadium (Cardiff Arms Park), Cardiff	Forward	W 3–0	WP
04 Jan 1913	England	Twickenham, London	Forward	W 9–3	WP
11 Jan 1913	France	Le Bouscat, Bordeaux	Forward	W 38–5	WP
13 Aug 1921	New Zealand	Carisbrook, Dunedin	Eighthman (C)	L 5–13	Lions
27 Aug 1921	New Zealand	Eden Park, Auckland	Eighthman (C)	W 9–5	Lions
17 Sep 1921	New Zealand	Athletic Park, Wellington	Eighthman (C)	D 0–0	Lions