Springbok no. 32 · Right Wing
Ferdie Aston
Fitzmaurice Thomas Drake Aston · Lions
Test career
First test
30 Jul 1896, age 24 · Outside Centre v Britain, Crusaders (St George's Park), Port Elizabeth
Last test
5 Sep 1896, age 24 · Right Wing v Britain, Newlands, Cape Town
Biography
Ferdie Aston captained South Africa in the second and third Tests of 1896. Born in Cheltenham, England, on 18 September 1871, he played for Blackheath and the Barbarians before emigrating, and settled in Johannesburg with the Wanderers club and Transvaal.
A tall, long-striding threequarter with a natural swerve, he played all four Tests against the 1896 British Isles side. The series ended with the 5–0 win at Newlands, the country’s first Test win. His brother Randolph had toured South Africa with the 1891 British team. Ferdie died on 15 October 1926.
Test history
4 tests · 2 as captain · 0 points| Date | Opponent | Venue | Position | Result | Province |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 Jul 1896 |  Britain | Crusaders (St George's Park), Port Elizabeth | Outside Centre | L 0–8 | Lions |
| 22 Aug 1896 | Britain | Wanderers (Old Wanderers), Johannesburg | Right Wing (C) | L 8–17 | Lions |
| 29 Aug 1896 | Britain | Kimberley Athletic Club Ground, Kimberley | Right Wing (C) | L 3–9 | Lions |
| 05 Sep 1896 | Britain | Newlands, Cape Town | Right Wing | W 5–0 | Lions |