Jan Pickard
Full names: Jan Albertus Jacobus
Date of birth: 25 Dec 1927
Place of birth: Piketberg
School: Paarl Gimnasium
Springbok no: 301
Springbok debut province: Western Province
Physical: 1.91m, 106.6kg
Date of death: 30 May 1998 (Age 70)
Test summary: Tests: 4 Tries: 0
First Test: 19 Sep 1953 Age 25 - Lock against Australia at Kingsmead, Durban
Last Test: 16 Aug 1958 Age 30 - Lock against France at Ellispark, Johannesburg
Test history:
DateAgePositionOpponentVenueResultScoreProvince
19 Sep 1953 25Lock Australia Kingsmead, Durban Win: 18-8  WP
26 Sep 1953 25Lock Australia Crusaders (St George's Park), Port Elizabeth Win: 22-9  WP
04 Aug 1956 28Eighthman New Zealand Athletic Park, Wellington Win: 8-3  WP
16 Aug 1958 30Lock France Ellispark, Johannesburg Lose: 5-9  WP

One day I happened to be watching the Maties third team playing when I saw a big fellow, hair longer than was customary in those days, playing at fullback. And, although he played well, I could sense that there was something wrong.

Mr Markotter came along and said: "Danie, that big, clumsy chap will make a very good forward - that is where he will become a Springbok." He was duly moved to forward and that is where Jan Pickard gained his Bok colours.

Jan was Jan. No one could tell him what to do - he wouldn't listen anyway. He wanted to do things his own way.

When Western Province played he had the habit of keeping a few opponents busy by making them so cross that they would want to work him over. He had a unique style for a forward, often standing among the backs and when the ball came out he would make the extra man.

If you left him to his own devices, let him have his own way, Jan Pickard was brilliant. Jan subsequently proved himself in the business world as he did on the rugby field. People like Jan who can make decisions and take chances, will make a success of everything they do.

Jan Pickard is a financial genius and that is one of the reasons why Western Province are in the sound financial position they are today. With Jan Pickard as chairman, particularly of the finance committee, it is not surprising. It's also not surprising that Western Province's golden period in the early '80's came about with Jan at the helm.