Springbok no. 67 · Halfback
Uncle Dobbin
Frederick James Dobbin · Griquas
Test career
First test
29 Aug 1903, age 23 · Halfback v Britain, Wanderers (Old Wanderers), Johannesburg
Last test
14 Dec 1912, age 33 · Halfback v Wales, Millennium Stadium (Cardiff Arms Park), Cardiff
Biography
Uncle Dobbin was one of the outstanding halfbacks of the early Springbok era, small, quick and sharp in defence. Born in Bethulie on 10 October 1879 and educated at Kimberley Boys’ High, he played for Griqualand West and loved the game so much that he named his Kimberley home ‘Rugby’.
He scored a try on debut in the 10–10 draw with the British Isles in 1903 and went on to win nine caps over a decade, touring Britain and Ireland in 1906–07 and again in 1912–13, and captaining South Africa once. His last Test was the 3–0 win over Wales in Cardiff in December 1912. He died on 5 February 1950.
Test history
9 tests · 1 as captain · 3 points| Date | Opponent | Venue | Position | Result | Province |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 Aug 1903 |  Britain | Wanderers (Old Wanderers), Johannesburg | Halfback | D 10–10 | Griquas |
| 05 Sep 1903 | Britain | Kimberley Athletic Club Ground, Kimberley | Halfback | D 0–0 | Griquas |
| 17 Nov 1906 |  Scotland | Hampden Park, Glasgow | Halfback | L 0–6 | Griquas |
| 01 Dec 1906 |  Wales | St. Helens, Swansea | Halfback | W 11–0 | Griquas |
| 08 Dec 1906 |  England | Crystal Palace, London | Halfback | D 3–3 | Griquas |
| 06 Aug 1910 | Britain | Wanderers (Old Wanderers), Johannesburg | Halfback | W 14–10 | Griquas |
| 23 Nov 1912 | Scotland | Inverleith, Edinburgh | Halfback (C) | W 16–0 | Griquas |
| 30 Nov 1912 |  Ireland | Aviva Stadium (Lansdowne Road), Dublin | Halfback | W 38–0 | Griquas |
| 14 Dec 1912 | Wales | Millennium Stadium (Cardiff Arms Park), Cardiff | Halfback | W 3–0 | Griquas |