Hans Aucamp was born on 27 October 1898 in Steynsburg, a small town in the Eastern Cape that produced a remarkable number of rugby players in the early part of the 20th century. He attended Paul Kruger School, where his natural speed and athleticism set him apart, and it was clear from a young age that he possessed the pace and finishing instinct ideally suited to a wing.
After completing his schooling, Aucamp continued to develop his game and eventually represented Western Transvaal, a union that in those days drew its players from a wide geographical area. His performances at provincial level soon brought him to the attention of national selectors, particularly his ability to exploit space and his fine positional sense out wide.
In 1924, Aucamp was selected for the Springboks to face the touring British team, making his debut on 16 August at Kingsmead in Durban. He impressed in that match and went on to play again a week later at the Wanderers Ground in Johannesburg. Over his two Tests, he crossed the try-line once, marking his brief international career with a personal highlight that every back dreams of.
Though his time in the green and gold was short, Hans Aucamp was part of a generation that helped establish South Africa’s growing reputation for producing fast, determined, and tactically astute backs. His contribution remains a valued chapter in Springbok history, representative of the spirit and skill of early post-war rugby in the country.