HO de Villiers
Full names: Henry Oswald
Date of birth: 10 Mar 1945
Place of birth: Johannesburg
School: Dale College
Springbok no: 418
Springbok debut province: Western Province
Physical: 1.83m, 84.2kg
Date of death: 20 Feb 2022 (Age 76)
Test summary: Tests: 14 Tries: 0
First Test: 15 Jul 1967 Age 22 - Full Back against France at Kingspark, Durban
Last Test: 24 Jan 1970 Age 24 - Full Back against Wales at Millenium Stadium (Cardiff Arms Park), Cardiff
Tours France 1968 British Isles & Ireland 1969-70
Test history:
DateAgePositionOpponentVenueResultScoreProvince
15 Jul 1967 22Full Back France Kingspark, Durban Win: 26-34 conversions, 1 penalty WP
22 Jul 1967 22Full Back France Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein Win: 16-32 conversions WP
29 Jul 1967 22Full Back France Ellispark, Johannesburg Lose: 14-19  WP
12 Aug 1967 22Full Back France Newlands, Cape Town Draw: 6-61 penalty WP
09 Nov 1968 23Full Back France Parc Lescure, Bordeaux Win: 12-9  WP
16 Nov 1968 23Full Back France Stade Olympique, Colombes, Paris Win: 16-11  WP
02 Aug 1969 24Full Back Australia Ellispark, Johannesburg Win: 30-11  WP
16 Aug 1969 24Full Back Australia Kingspark, Durban Win: 16-9  WP
06 Sep 1969 24Full Back Australia Newlands, Cape Town Win: 11-3  WP
20 Sep 1969 24Full Back Australia Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein Win: 19-8  WP
06 Dec 1969 24Full Back Scotland Murrayfield, Edinburgh Lose: 3-6  WP
20 Dec 1969 24Full Back England Twickenham, London Lose: 8-11  WP
10 Jan 1970 24Full Back Ireland Aviva Stadium (Lansdowne Road), Dublin Draw: 8-81 conversion, 1 penalty WP
24 Jan 1970 24Full Back Wales Millenium Stadium (Cardiff Arms Park), Cardiff Draw: 6-61 penalty WP

I went to Dale College one year and the headmaster, a Mr Searle, told me he had a future Springbok who was then playing for the school.

"H.O." was a good looking, clean-cut youngster who was headboy of the school. I addressed the pupils and it was his duty to thank me. I understood he was due to come to Stellenbosch and was looking forward to having him. But when next I heard he was at UCT, and while being disappointed I nevertheless knew he was in good hands.

"H.O." eventually became a Springbok due as much to his adventurous spirit as his natural talent, physical ability and courage.

He revolutionised fullback play in his short career with his willingness to attack at all times, and has gone down in our annals as one of the greatest fullbacks of all time.