Flippie van der Merwe

Philip "Flippie" Rudolph van der Merwe (born 8 July 1957 in Dibeng, Northern Cape Province) is a South African former rugby union player who played six test matches for the South Africa national rugby union team from 1981 to 1989.[1]

Flippie van der Merwe
Birth namePhilip Rudolph van der Merwe
Date of birth (1957-07-08) 8 July 1957
Place of birthDibeng, Northern Cape, South Africa
Height1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
Weight133 kg (293 lb)
SchoolDiamantveld High School, Kimberley
UniversityStellenbosch University
ChildrenFlip van der Merwe, François van der Merwe
Rugby union career
Position(s) Tighthead prop
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1977–1980
1981
1982–1984
1985–
1989		 Western Province
South Western Districts
Free State
Western Transvaal
Griqualand West		 22
?
46
43		 ()
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1981–1989 South Africa 6

Playing career

Van der Merwe made his provincial debut for WP in 1977 while a student at Stellenbosch University. He was selected on the replacement bench for the Springboks in the first tests against the touring British Lions in 1980.[2] Van der Merwe made his test debut in 1981 against New Zealand on 29 August 1981 at Athletic Park in Wellington. He played his last test match for the Springboks, eight years later, against the World XV at Newlands.[3] Van der Merwe also played in six tour matches for the Springboks.

In 1986, van der Merwe was selected to represent the Overseas Unions XV against the Five Nations XV in a match played at Twickenham Stadium to commemorate the centenary of the International Rugby Football Board.

Test history
No.OppositionResult (SA 1st)PositionTriesDateVenue
1. New Zealand24–12 Tighthead prop29 August 1981Athletic Park, Wellington
2. New Zealand22–25Tighthead prop12 September 1981Eden Park, Auckland
3. United States38–7Tighthead prop20 September 1981Owl Creek Polo ground, Glenville, New York
4.New Zealand Cavaliers21–15Tighthead prop10 May 1986Newlands, Cape Town
5.New Zealand Cavaliers18–19Tighthead prop17 May 1986Kings Park, Durban
6.World XV20–19Tighthead prop26 Aug 1989Newlands, Cape Town

Personal

Van der Merwe is the father of François van der Merwe, a professional rugby player and Flip van der Merwe, also a former professional rugby player and Springbok.

See also

References
  1. "Flippie van der Merwe - South Africa". ESPN UK. ESPN Inc. Retrieved 11 September 2018.
  2. Van der Merwe, F. J. G. (Floris J. G.), 1951- (2007). Matieland is rugbyland, 1980-2006. Stellenbosch: SUN Press. p. 119. ISBN 9781920109790. OCLC 190836768.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  3. Jooste, Graham K. (1995). South African rugby test players 1949-1995. Johannesburg: Penguin. p. 110. ISBN 0140250174. OCLC 36916860.
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