Edward McMillan Little was born on 1 November 1864 in Midlothian, Scotland, and educated at Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh, one of Britain’s foremost schools for producing talented sportsmen. Like many young men of his generation, he developed a love for rugby during his school years, excelling as a determined and skilful forward. His combination of physical strength and a sound understanding of the game would later make him a key figure in the early development of South African rugby.

After completing his education, Little moved to South Africa, where he settled in Kimberley and became involved in the Griqualand West Rugby Union - one of the pioneering unions of the sport in the country. His leadership and ability in the tight exchanges quickly earned him a reputation as one of the best forwards in the region, and when South Africa fielded its first official national team against Great Britain in 1891, Edward Little was among those selected to represent the fledgling Springboks.

He played in two of the three Tests in that historic series - the first-ever international rugby matches contested by a South African side. Little took the field in Port Elizabeth on 30 July 1891 and again in the final match at Newlands in Cape Town. These encounters marked the dawn of international rugby for South Africa, and Little’s inclusion placed him firmly among the trailblazers who laid the foundation for what would become one of the world’s most successful rugby nations.

After his brief but historic contribution to the national team, Little continued to be involved in rugby at provincial and club level in Kimberley, helping to nurture the game’s growth during its formative years in South Africa. He passed away on 1 July 1945 at the age of 80, remembered as one of the original Springboks - a Scottish-born pioneer whose early efforts helped establish South Africa’s proud rugby tradition.