Gabriel (Gawie) Carelse who died on August 3rd, 2002 aged 61 was a lock's lock - big, strong, and relentless. His great friend Frik du Preez said of him: "He was a real Springbok, a legend in his own right, a man of iron."
On the short tour to Ireland and Scotland in 1965 he became 'Gavin Charles' as his hosts simply could not handle the pronunciation of his name; Du Preez decided on an adapted name, which stuck with him forever.
Carelse made his Springbok debut against Wales in Durban when South Africa won 24-3, a huge score at that time. In all Carelse played lock for South Africa in 14 tests - six times against France. He was on the two terrible tours to the UK and Ireland - in 1965 when the Springboks did not win a match and in 1969-70 when there was hectic opposition to the tour and the Springboks did not win a test.
Carelse played 102 matches for Eastern Province between 1961 and 1970. a huge number for the times. He was never dropped from the Eastern Province team but ended his career when he broke five bones in his foot.