Springbok no. 130 · Full Back
Gerhard Morkel
Pieter Gerhard Morkel · WP
8Tests
0Tries
2Tours
24Age at debut
Test career
191219161921
First test
23 Nov 1912, age 24 · Full Back v Scotland, Inverleith, Edinburgh
Last test
17 Sep 1921, age 32 · Full Back v New Zealand, Athletic Park, Wellington
Biography
Gerhard Morkel was one of the finest fullbacks of his time. Born in Somerset West on 15 October 1888, he played for Western Province and won eight caps between 1912 and 1921.
He was the last line of defence for the 1912–13 side that beat Scotland, Ireland, Wales, England and France. On the 1921 tour of New Zealand his drop goal helped win the second Test 9–5, and the series was drawn after a 0–0 draw in the third. He scored 16 Test points. In later life he lost a leg to amputation. He died on 5 September 1963.
Test history
8 tests · 16 points| Date | Opponent | Venue | Position | Result | Province |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 Nov 1912 |  Scotland | Inverleith, Edinburgh | Full Back | W 16–0 | WP |
| 30 Nov 1912 |  Ireland | Aviva Stadium (Lansdowne Road), Dublin | Full Back | W 38–0 | WP |
| 14 Dec 1912 |  Wales | Millennium Stadium (Cardiff Arms Park), Cardiff | Full Back | W 3–0 | WP |
| 04 Jan 1913 |  England | Twickenham, London | Full Back | W 9–3 | WP |
| 11 Jan 1913 |  France | Le Bouscat, Bordeaux | Full Back | W 38–5 | WP |
| 13 Aug 1921 |  New Zealand | Carisbrook, Dunedin | Full Back | L 5–13 | WP |
| 27 Aug 1921 | New Zealand | Eden Park, Auckland | Full Back | W 9–5 | WP |
| 17 Sep 1921 | New Zealand | Athletic Park, Wellington | Full Back | D 0–0 | WP |