REAL RUGBY STATS

Springbok no. 341 · Flank

Martin Pelser

Hendrik Jacobus Martin Pelser · Lions

11Tests
2Tries
1Tours
24Age at debut

Test career

195819591961

First test

26 Jul 1958, age 24 · Flank v France, Newlands, Cape Town

Last test

12 Aug 1961, age 27 · Flank v Australia, Boet Erasmus, Port Elizabeth

Biography

Martin Pelser was a strong, fast and fearless flanker who played 11 Tests despite having sight in only one eye. Born in Johannesburg on 23 March 1934, he played for Transvaal.

With Hugo van Zyl and Doug Hopwood he formed a feared loose trio. He scored a try in the 8–3 win over New Zealand in Port Elizabeth that helped win the 1960 series, toured Britain, Ireland and France in 1960–61, and scored again against Australia in 1961. He then turned professional in rugby league. He died on 15 August 2018.

Test history

11 tests · 6 points
DateOpponentVenuePositionResultProvince
26 Jul 1958FranceNewlands, Cape TownFlankD 3–3Lions
25 Jun 1960New ZealandEllis Park, JohannesburgFlankW 13–0Lions
23 Jul 1960New ZealandNewlands, Cape TownFlankL 3–11Lions
13 Aug 1960New ZealandFree State Stadium, BloemfonteinFlankD 11–11Lions
27 Aug 1960New ZealandBoet Erasmus, Port ElizabethFlankW 8–3Lions
03 Dec 1960WalesMillennium Stadium (Cardiff Arms Park), CardiffFlankW 3–0Lions
17 Dec 1960IrelandAviva Stadium (Lansdowne Road), DublinFlankW 8–3Lions
18 Feb 1961FranceStade Olympique, Colombes, ParisFlankD 0–0Lions
13 May 1961IrelandNewlands, Cape TownFlankW 24–8Lions
05 Aug 1961AustraliaEllis Park, JohannesburgFlankW 28–3Lions
12 Aug 1961AustraliaBoet Erasmus, Port ElizabethFlankW 23–11Lions