Theuns Briers
Full names: Theunis Petrus Daniël
Date of birth: 11 Jul 1929
Place of birth: Paarl
School: Paarl Boys High
Springbok no: 313
Springbok debut province: Western Province
Physical: 1.83m, 88.5kg
Date of death: 7 Oct 2018 (Age 89)
Test summary: Tests: 7 Tries: 5
First Test: 6 Aug 1955 Age 26 - Right Wing against Britain at Ellispark, Johannesburg
Last Test: 1 Sep 1956 Age 27 - Left Wing against New Zealand at Eden Park, Auckland
Tours Australia & New Zealand 1956
Test history:
DateAgePositionOpponentVenueResultScoreProvince
06 Aug 1955 26Right Wing Britain Ellispark, Johannesburg Lose: 22-232 tries WP
20 Aug 1955 26Right Wing Britain Newlands, Cape Town Win: 25-91 try WP
03 Sep 1955 26Right Wing Britain Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria Lose: 6-9  WP
24 Sep 1955 26Right Wing Britain Crusaders (St George's Park), Port Elizabeth Win: 22-82 tries WP
04 Aug 1956 27Right Wing New Zealand Athletic Park, Wellington Win: 8-3  WP
18 Aug 1956 27Right Wing New Zealand Lancaster Park (Jade stadium), Christchurch Lose: 10-17  WP
01 Sep 1956 27Left Wing New Zealand Eden Park, Auckland Lose: 5-11  WP

Theuns Briers could, and did win matches from the wing position because he was so strong and powerful.

On our way to Johannesburg for the 1955 trials, I told Frank Mellish that we had to get Briers to Johannesburg because I believed he was Springbok material. Some believed that I had Theuns invited to the trials as the Maties were down to play Paarl that same day and it was no secret that we were wary of this powerful farmer.

The fact is that we got Theuns to the trials in Johannesburg and he played himself into the Springbok team with a brilliant performance.

Theuns went on to score five tries in seven test matches and proved to be utterly fearless on the field.