Unfortunately I never got to know Des well enough. Des toured Argentina with the Junior Springboks in 1960. On their return they played against and beat the rest of South Africa.

When the Scottish toured that same year Des, then playing on the flank, was appointed Springbok captain. This wasn't surprising as he was a man who kept himself exceptionally fit and was in fact the Rhodesian skipper at the time. South Africa beat Scotland 18-10 in that test and Des scored a try converted by Mickey Gerber.

Although he only played for South Africa once this warm-hearted, charming man enriched our rugby scene and will not be forgotten.