Springbok no. 298 · Tight-head Prop
Jaap Bekker
Hendrik Petrus Jordaan Bekker · Blue Bulls
15Tests
1Tries
2Tours
26Age at debut
Test career
195219541956
First test
5 Jan 1952, age 26 · Tight-head Prop v England, Twickenham, London
Last test
1 Sep 1956, age 31 · Tight-head Prop v New Zealand, Eden Park, Auckland
Biography
Jaap Bekker was a famously strong tight-head prop who played 15 Tests between 1952 and 1956. Born in Dordrecht on 11 February 1925, he played for Northern Transvaal.
He made his debut in the 8–3 win over England at Twickenham in 1952, scored a try against Australia in 1953, and toured Australia and New Zealand in 1956. He came from a remarkable sporting family: his brothers Dolf and Martiens also played for South Africa. He died on 6 August 1999.
Test history
15 tests · 3 points| Date | Opponent | Venue | Position | Result | Province |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 05 Jan 1952 |  England | Twickenham, London | Tight-head Prop | W 8–3 | Blue Bulls |
| 16 Feb 1952 |  France | Stade Olympique, Colombes, Paris | Tight-head Prop | W 25–3 | Blue Bulls |
| 22 Aug 1953 |  Australia | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | Tight-head Prop | W 25–3 | Blue Bulls |
| 05 Sep 1953 | Australia | Newlands, Cape Town | Tight-head Prop | L 14–18 | Blue Bulls |
| 19 Sep 1953 | Australia | Kingsmead, Durban | Tight-head Prop | W 18–8 | Blue Bulls |
| 26 Sep 1953 | Australia | Crusaders (St George's Park), Port Elizabeth | Tight-head Prop | W 22–9 | Blue Bulls |
| 20 Aug 1955 |  Britain | Newlands, Cape Town | Tight-head Prop | W 25–9 | Blue Bulls |
| 03 Sep 1955 | Britain | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | Tight-head Prop | L 6–9 | Blue Bulls |
| 24 Sep 1955 | Britain | Crusaders (St George's Park), Port Elizabeth | Tight-head Prop | W 22–8 | Blue Bulls |
| 26 May 1956 | Australia | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney | Tight-head Prop | W 9–0 | Blue Bulls |
| 02 Jun 1956 | Australia | Brisbane Exhibition Ground, Brisbane | Tight-head Prop | W 9–0 | Blue Bulls |
| 14 Jul 1956 |  New Zealand | Carisbrook, Dunedin | Tight-head Prop | L 6–10 | Blue Bulls |
| 04 Aug 1956 | New Zealand | Athletic Park, Wellington | Tight-head Prop | W 8–3 | Blue Bulls |
| 18 Aug 1956 | New Zealand | Lancaster Park (Jade stadium), Christchurch | Tight-head Prop | L 10–17 | Blue Bulls |
| 01 Sep 1956 | New Zealand | Eden Park, Auckland | Tight-head Prop | L 5–11 | Blue Bulls |