Springbok no. 219 · Scrumhalf
Danie Craven
Daniël Hartman Craven · WP, EP, Blue Bulls
Test career
First test
5 Dec 1931, age 21 · Scrumhalf v Wales, St. Helens, Swansea
Last test
10 Sep 1938, age 27 · Scrumhalf v Britain, Newlands, Cape Town
Biography
Danie Craven was one of the most important figures in the history of South African rugby. Born near Lindley on 11 October 1910, he became a Springbok before he had played provincial rugby, making his debut at scrumhalf against Wales in 1931, aged 21. He was famous for his long dive pass.
He won 16 caps, mostly at scrumhalf but also at flyhalf, centre and eighthman. He was part of the 1937 team that won in New Zealand and captained South Africa four times, including the 1938 series against the British Isles. He later became a coach, selector and, from 1956, president of the South African Rugby Board, leading the game for more than three decades. He died on 4 January 1993.
Test history
16 tests · 4 as captain · 6 points| Date | Opponent | Venue | Position | Result | Province |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05 Dec 1931 |  Wales | St. Helens, Swansea | Scrumhalf | W 8–3 | WP |
| 19 Dec 1931 |  Ireland | Aviva Stadium (Lansdowne Road), Dublin | Scrumhalf | W 8–3 | WP |
| 16 Jan 1932 |  Scotland | Murrayfield, Edinburgh | Scrumhalf | W 6–3 | WP |
| 08 Jul 1933 |  Australia | Newlands, Cape Town | Scrumhalf | W 17–3 | WP |
| 22 Jul 1933 | Australia | Kingsmead, Durban | Scrumhalf | L 6–21 | WP |
| 12 Aug 1933 | Australia | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | Scrumhalf | W 12–3 | WP |
| 26 Aug 1933 | Australia | Crusaders (St George's Park), Port Elizabeth | Inside Centre | W 11–0 | WP |
| 02 Sep 1933 | Australia | Springbokpark, Bloemfontein | Scrumhalf | L 4–15 | WP |
| 26 Jun 1937 | Australia | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney | Flyhalf | W 9–5 | EP |
| 17 Jul 1937 | Australia | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney | Eighthman | W 26–17 | EP |
| 14 Aug 1937 |  New Zealand | Athletic Park, Wellington | Flyhalf (C) | L 7–13 | EP |
| 04 Sep 1937 | New Zealand | Lancaster Park (Jade stadium), Christchurch | Scrumhalf | W 13–6 | EP |
| 25 Sep 1937 | New Zealand | Eden Park, Auckland | Scrumhalf | W 17–6 | EP |
| 06 Aug 1938 |  Britain | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | Scrumhalf (C) | W 26–12 | Blue Bulls |
| 03 Sep 1938 | Britain | Crusaders (St George's Park), Port Elizabeth | Scrumhalf (C) | W 19–3 | Blue Bulls |
| 10 Sep 1938 | Britain | Newlands, Cape Town | Scrumhalf (C) | L 16–21 | Blue Bulls |