Springbok no. 172 · Loose-head Prop

Frank Mellish

Frank Whitmore Mellish · WP

6Tests

0Tries

1Tours

24Age at debut

Test career

192119221924

First test

13 Aug 1921, age 24 · Loose-head Prop v New Zealand, Carisbrook, Dunedin

Last test

20 Sep 1924, age 27 · Loose-head Prop v Britain, Newlands, Cape Town

Biography

Frank Mellish was a front-row forward who played six Tests between 1921 and 1924, and later a much-loved administrator. Born in Cape Town on 26 March 1897 and educated at Rondebosch, Wynberg Boys’ High and SACS, he played for Western Province.

He made his debut against New Zealand at Dunedin in 1921 and played all four Tests against the 1924 British Isles side. He later managed the 1951–52 Springboks in Britain, where his good humour and guitar playing helped bring the team together. He died on 21 August 1965.

Test history

6 tests · 0 points

Date	Opponent	Venue	Position	Result	Province
13 Aug 1921	New Zealand	Carisbrook, Dunedin	Loose-head Prop	L 5–13	WP
17 Sep 1921	New Zealand	Athletic Park, Wellington	Tight-head Prop	D 0–0	WP
16 Aug 1924	Britain	Kingsmead, Durban	Loose-head Prop	W 7–3	WP
23 Aug 1924	Britain	Wanderers (Old Wanderers), Johannesburg	Loose-head Prop	W 17–0	WP
13 Sep 1924	Britain	Crusaders (St George's Park), Port Elizabeth	Loose-head Prop	D 3–3	WP
20 Sep 1924	Britain	Newlands, Cape Town	Loose-head Prop	W 16–9	WP