Clement “Clem” Currie was born on 21 October 1880 in Grahamstown and educated at St Andrew’s College, a school that produced several early Springboks. A strong and tireless forward, he represented Griqualand West during the formative years of South African provincial rugby, when the game was still developing its identity and structure.

Currie earned his Springbok colours in 1903 during the second British Isles tour to South Africa. Rugby was still played under rugged, often unpredictable conditions, and the matches of that era demanded endurance and commitment as much as skill. He was selected for the third test, played at Kimberley on 5 September 1903, where he lined up among the local favourites before a large crowd at the Kimberley Athletic Club Ground. Although South Africa lost the match, the experience helped shape the foundation of the Springbok forward tradition that would soon bring international success.

At provincial level, Currie was a valued member of the Griqualand West pack, admired for his stamina, scrummaging strength, and willingness to work tirelessly for his team. His inclusion in the national side at just twenty-two years of age reflected the depth of talent emerging from the Northern Cape’s early rugby strongholds.

Clem Currie passed away on 12 October 1937 at the age of 56. He remains part of the pioneering generation who established South Africa’s place in world rugby - men who played in the sport’s toughest years, when the game relied on raw strength, discipline, and a love for competition above all else.