Charlie Meyer
Full names: Charles du Plessis
Date of birth: 14 Jan 1897
Place of birth: Harrismith
Schools: Paul Roos Gymnasium Hoogenhout
Springbok no: 159
Springbok debut province: Western Province
Physical: 1.73m, 79.4kg
Date of death: 31 May 1980 (Age 83)
Test summary: Tests: 3 Tries: 0
First Test: 13 Aug 1921 Age 24 - Outside Centre against New Zealand at Carisbrook, Dunedin
Last Test: 17 Sep 1921 Age 24 - Inside Centre against New Zealand at Athletic Park, Wellington
Tours Australia & New Zealand 1921
Test history:
DateAgePositionOpponentVenueResultScoreProvince
13 Aug 1921 24Outside Centre New Zealand Carisbrook, Dunedin Lose: 5-13  WP
27 Aug 1921 24Flyhalf New Zealand Eden Park, Auckland Win: 9-5  WP
17 Sep 1921 24Inside Centre New Zealand Athletic Park, Wellington Draw: 0-0  WP

Charles du Plessis “Charlie” Meyer was born on 14 January 1897 in Harrismith, in the Orange Free State. As a young boy, his family was interned in the Howick concentration camp during the Anglo-Boer War - a hardship shared by many of his generation. He most likely attended Hoërskool Hoogenhout in Bethal, where he captained the Bethal school district team in 1917-18, before moving to Stellenbosch to complete his schooling at Paul Roos Gymnasium and later enrolling at the University of Stellenbosch. There he came under the influence of the legendary coach Oubaas Markotter, who immediately recognised his talent and versatility.

Markotter would later describe Meyer as a complete footballer - a natural athlete who could play anywhere in the backline. Originally seen as a halfback, Meyer’s adaptability saw him selected for the 1921 Springbok tour to Australia and New Zealand, South Africa’s first overseas tour. During that historic campaign, he played 16 matches: seven at centre, five on the wing, three at flyhalf, and one at fullback - a testament to his all-round skill and rugby intelligence. He scored ten tries on tour, including seven in his first four matches in Australia, and was one of the standout performers in the early games.

Meyer made his Test debut against New Zealand at Dunedin, forming a solid centre partnership with Wally Clarkson. With the injury to Sas de Kock later in the tour, he shifted to flyhalf for the final two Tests at Auckland and Wellington, underlining once again his versatility. Against the New Zealand Maori at Napier, he was awarded a golden football engraved “Won by the best player - South Africa v New Zealand,” an honour shared with a Maori forward, symbolizing mutual respect between the two teams.

Back home, Meyer continued to excel with Western Province, where he served as vice-captain in 1922 before a knee injury in a Currie Cup match at Kimberley curtailed his first-class career. He later settled on a farm near Ficksburg and represented the Free State at provincial level. Known for his sharp wit and good humour, his friend and teammate Phil Olivier once quipped that Meyer’s “laughing muscles were the best-developed part of his physique.”

Charlie Meyer remained a beloved figure in South African rugby long after his playing days. In later years, he survived a serious car accident in 1961 that left him with a brain injury but continued to be remembered fondly by teammates and fans alike. He passed away on 31 May 1980 at the age of 83 - remembered as one of the most versatile and charming players ever to wear the green and gold.