Edward William “Ted” Kelly was born on 23 October 1869 in King William’s Town and belonged to the generation of rugby pioneers who helped establish the game in South Africa during the late nineteenth century. A strong and committed forward, he represented Griqualand West at a time when provincial rugby was rapidly gaining popularity across the country and the foundations of the modern game were being laid.

Kelly’s performances for Griqualand West earned him national selection in 1896, when South Africa hosted the second official British Isles tour. He played in the third test match of the series, contested at the Kimberley Athletic Club Ground on 29 August 1896. Rugby was still in its formative years, played on rough fields before large, enthusiastic crowds, and Kelly’s inclusion in the forward pack reflected both his physical strength and his value as a team man in those hard, attritional contests.

Although that appearance proved to be his only test, Kelly’s role in the early years of Springbok rugby linked him with the pioneering figures who established South Africa’s reputation as a formidable rugby nation. His contribution came at a time when the sport depended on the dedication of amateurs who balanced work and play simply for the love of the game.

Ted Kelly passed away on 11 March 1949 at the age of 79. He remains remembered among the early Springboks who helped shape the traditions of South African rugby - men whose efforts and spirit built the foundation for the success that would follow in the decades to come.