Springbok no. 22 · Forward
Fairy Heatlie
Barry Heatlie Heatlie · WP
Test career
First test
29 Aug 1891, age 19 · Forward v Britain, Eclectic Cricket Ground, Kimberley
Last test
12 Sep 1903, age 31 · Forward v Britain, Newlands, Cape Town
Biography
Barry ‘Fairy’ Heatlie was one of the giants of early South African rugby. Born near Worcester on 25 April 1872, he first handled a rugby ball at Diocesan College (Bishops) and was playing a Test against the British Isles by the age of 19.
A powerful forward who stood 1.92 m, he played six Tests between 1891 and 1903 and captained South Africa twice, both times to victory at Newlands: the 5–0 win in 1896 that was the country’s first Test win, and the 8–0 win in 1903 that clinched the series. He captained Western Province for a decade, and Oubaas Markötter rated him the finest all-round forward the country had produced. Heatlie later spent many years in Argentina. He died on 19 August 1949.
Test history
6 tests · 2 as captain · 6 points| Date | Opponent | Venue | Position | Result | Province |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Aug 1891 |  Britain | Eclectic Cricket Ground, Kimberley | Forward | L 0–3 | WP |
| 05 Sep 1891 | Britain | Newlands, Cape Town | Forward | L 0–4 | WP |
| 30 Jul 1896 | Britain | Crusaders (St George's Park), Port Elizabeth | Forward | L 0–8 | WP |
| 05 Sep 1896 | Britain | Newlands, Cape Town | Forward (C) | W 5–0 | WP |
| 29 Aug 1903 | Britain | Wanderers (Old Wanderers), Johannesburg | Forward | D 10–10 | WP |
| 12 Sep 1903 | Britain | Newlands, Cape Town | Forward (C) | W 8–0 | WP |