Springbok no. 519 · Eighthman
Wynand Claassen
Wynand Claassen · Sharks
7Tests
0Tries
1Tours
30Age at debut
Test career
19811982
First test
30 May 1981, age 30 · Eighthman v Ireland, Newlands, Cape Town
Last test
3 Apr 1982, age 31 · Eighthman v South America, Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
Biography
Wynand Claassen captained South Africa in all seven of his Tests. Born in Schweizer-Reneke on 16 January 1951, he was a hard-working Natal eighthman. He led the side against Ireland in 1981, through the turbulent 1981 tour of New Zealand, which was lost 2–1, and against the USA and South America. He later wrote an outspoken book about that tour.
Test history
7 tests · 7 as captain · 0 points| Date | Opponent | Venue | Position | Result | Province |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 May 1981 |  Ireland | Newlands, Cape Town | Eighthman (C) | W 23–15 | Sharks |
| 06 Jun 1981 | Ireland | Kings Park, Durban | Eighthman (C) | W 12–10 | Sharks |
| 29 Aug 1981 |  New Zealand | Athletic Park, Wellington | Eighthman (C) | W 24–12 | Sharks |
| 12 Sep 1981 | New Zealand | Eden Park, Auckland | Eighthman (C) | L 22–25 | Sharks |
| 25 Sep 1981 |  USA | Owl Creek Polo ground, Glenville, NY | Eighthman (C) | W 38–7 | Sharks |
| 27 Mar 1982 |  South America | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria | Eighthman (C) | W 50–18 | Sharks |
| 03 Apr 1982 | South America | Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein | Eighthman (C) | L 12–21 | Sharks |