Springbok no. 184 · Eighthman
Jack van Druten
Nicolaas Jan Valkenburg van Druten · Lions
8Tests
2Tries
0Tours
26Age at debut
Test career
192419261928
First test
16 Aug 1924, age 26 · Eighthman v Britain, Kingsmead, Durban
Last test
1 Sep 1928, age 30 · Flank v New Zealand, Newlands, Cape Town
Biography
Jack van Druten was a mobile loose forward who covered the field tirelessly. Born in Griekwastad on 12 June 1898 and educated at SACS, he studied medicine at UCT and Trinity College, Dublin, and played for Transvaal.
He played all four Tests against the 1924 British Isles side, scoring tries in two of them, and all four against the 1928 All Blacks, who regarded him as a constant threat. He was admired as much for his humility as for his play. He lived to 90 and died on 16 January 1989.
Test history
8 tests · 6 points| Date | Opponent | Venue | Position | Result | Province |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 Aug 1924 |  Britain | Kingsmead, Durban | Eighthman | W 7–3 | Lions |
| 23 Aug 1924 | Britain | Wanderers (Old Wanderers), Johannesburg | Eighthman | W 17–0 | Lions |
| 13 Sep 1924 | Britain | Crusaders (St George's Park), Port Elizabeth | Eighthman | D 3–3 | Lions |
| 20 Sep 1924 | Britain | Newlands, Cape Town | Eighthman | W 16–9 | Lions |
| 30 Jun 1928 |  New Zealand | Kingsmead, Durban | Flank | W 17–0 | Lions |
| 21 Jul 1928 | New Zealand | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | Flank | L 6–7 | Lions |
| 18 Aug 1928 | New Zealand | Crusaders (St George's Park), Port Elizabeth | Flank | W 11–6 | Lions |
| 01 Sep 1928 | New Zealand | Newlands, Cape Town | Flank | L 5–13 | Lions |