Springbok no. 199 · Lock
Phil Nel
Philip Jacobus Nel · Sharks
Test career
First test
30 Jun 1928, age 26 · Lock v New Zealand, Kingsmead, Durban
Last test
25 Sep 1937, age 35 · Lock v New Zealand, Eden Park, Auckland
Biography
Phil Nel was one of the great Springbok captains and a powerful scrummaging lock. Born in Kranskop on 17 June 1902 and educated at Maritzburg College, he played for Natal and won 16 caps between 1928 and 1937.
He scored a try against the 1928 All Blacks and was part of the 1931–32 team that beat all four home nations. He captained South Africa eight times, including the 1937 tour, when his pack dominated and the Springboks won the series in New Zealand, clinched with a 17–6 win at Eden Park. That team is often rated among the finest to leave South Africa. He died on 11 February 1984.
Test history
16 tests · 8 as captain · 3 points| Date | Opponent | Venue | Position | Result | Province |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Jun 1928 |  New Zealand | Kingsmead, Durban | Lock | W 17–0 | Sharks |
| 21 Jul 1928 | New Zealand | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | Lock | L 6–7 | Sharks |
| 18 Aug 1928 | New Zealand | Crusaders (St George's Park), Port Elizabeth | Lock | W 11–6 | Sharks |
| 01 Sep 1928 | New Zealand | Newlands, Cape Town | Lock | L 5–13 | Sharks |
| 05 Dec 1931 |  Wales | St. Helens, Swansea | Lock | W 8–3 | Sharks |
| 19 Dec 1931 |  Ireland | Aviva Stadium (Lansdowne Road), Dublin | Lock | W 8–3 | Sharks |
| 02 Jan 1932 |  England | Twickenham, London | Lock | W 7–0 | Sharks |
| 16 Jan 1932 |  Scotland | Murrayfield, Edinburgh | Lock | W 6–3 | Sharks |
| 08 Jul 1933 |  Australia | Newlands, Cape Town | Lock (C) | W 17–3 | Sharks |
| 12 Aug 1933 | Australia | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | Lock (C) | W 12–3 | Sharks |
| 26 Aug 1933 | Australia | Crusaders (St George's Park), Port Elizabeth | Lock (C) | W 11–0 | Sharks |
| 02 Sep 1933 | Australia | Springbokpark, Bloemfontein | Lock (C) | L 4–15 | Sharks |
| 26 Jun 1937 | Australia | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney | Tight-head Prop (C) | W 9–5 | Sharks |
| 17 Jul 1937 | Australia | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney | Lock (C) | W 26–17 | Sharks |
| 04 Sep 1937 | New Zealand | Lancaster Park (Jade stadium), Christchurch | Lock (C) | W 13–6 | Sharks |
| 25 Sep 1937 | New Zealand | Eden Park, Auckland | Lock (C) | W 17–6 | Sharks |