Freddy Turner

Who was Freddy Turner?

Frederick 'Freddy' George Turner was a South African rugby union international who represented his country in 11 Tests. Sometimes his name is given as "Freddie" Turner.

Turner, a graduate of Grey High School, played three first-class cricket matches for Eastern Province in the 1931/32 Currie Cup season. After exactly ten years out of cricket, while he concentrated on rugby, he returned to the field in January 1942 and made his fourth and last first-class appearance, this time with Transvaal. His only wicket in these matches was Rhodesian Victor Robinson while he failed to impress with the bat.

He played his early rugby at the Crusader RFC and represented both Eastern Province and Transvaal at provincial rugby. On 8 July 1933, Turner became the 232nd Springbok when he made his international debut, against Australia in Cape Town. Aged just 19 at the time, he was also the first South African rugby player to fly to a Test Match after being called up late. He later told friends and family that the biggest challenge that day was finding the airport in Port Elizabeth.

He went on to be capped a further ten times at Test level, including a tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1937.