A wonderfully relaxed player was Flappie. He ran like a startled hare but he was nevertheless always relaxed. Even at top speed.

As a result he could catch or handle the ball in any situation. During the last test in 1937, when we preferred him to Jimmy White who was possibly better on the wing, he once took the ball right on his shoulder, when Jack Sullivan, who had twice intercepted in a similar fashion during the second test, tried to repeat his success.

From there Flappie gave the ball to Dai Williams at the right moment and Dai went over. It all goes to show the part relaxation plays in the make-up of a back in particular.

Of course there was much more to Flappie, who has been one of the great figures in South African rugby for many years, and who simply must be ranked with the best Springboks of all time.