Manus de Jongh, whose full name was Hermanus Paulus Kruger de Jongh, was born on 10 October 1902 in Moorreesburg. He was educated at Paul Roos Gymnasium and later at Paarl Gimnasium, institutions that have long been strongholds of South African rugby tradition. At relatively modest size for a rugby man of his type, he brought athleticism, speed, and tenacity to his play - qualities that enabled him to punch above his weight on the field.
He made his mark in provincial rugby representing Western Province, and was selected for the Springboks as Springbok No. 205. His lone test appearance came on 18 August 1928 against the touring New Zealand side, where he played on the wing and scored a try in an 11 - 6 victory at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth. Despite this promising performance, it remained his only cap. He also featured in several tour matches on that same series, contributing his pace and enthusiasm in the broader squad.
His career may appear brief by modern standards, but in the context of the time it was not unusual for players to have limited international opportunities. Yet even with that single test, de Jongh’s name endures among those early teams that laid the foundation for South African rugby’s rich legacy. Off the field, relatively little is recorded about his life in later years, but he passed away on 5 September 1974 at age 71. His story is a reminder of how in early Springbok history, a moment on the field - wearing the green and gold - could define a legacy.