Taffy Townsend
Full names: William Henry
Date of birth: 12 Mar 1895
Place of birth: Newport, Wales
School: Unknown
Springbok no: 163
Springbok debut province: Natal
Physical: 1.64m, 71.7kg
Date of death: 27 Jan 1943 (Age 47)
Test summary: Tests: 1 Tries: 0
Only test: 13 Aug 1921 Age 26 - Scrumhalf against New Zealand at Carisbrook, Dunedin
Tours Australia & New Zealand 1921
Test history:
DateAgePositionOpponentVenueResultScoreProvince
13 Aug 1921 26Scrumhalf New Zealand Carisbrook, Dunedin Lose: 5-13  Natal

William Henry “Taffy” Townsend was born in Newport, Wales, and earned his nickname from his Welsh roots. In 1913, at just 18 years old, he worked his passage to South Africa aboard the Guildford Castle as a stevedore, leaving behind industrial Britain for a new life in the southern hemisphere. Once in South Africa, he settled into civilian life and quickly found his place on the rugby field, where his sharp instincts and steady hands made him a natural halfback.

During the First World War, Townsend enlisted in the South African Infantry and served with distinction. After the war he represented South Africa in the King’s Cup competition in 1919 - a prestigious postwar rugby tournament held in Britain among military sides from across the Empire. His crisp passing and composure under pressure stood out, establishing him as one of the best service players of the tournament.

By the early 1920s Townsend was playing in Durban for Old Collegians, part of the Natal Rugby Union. His performances there earned him national recognition and selection for the 1921 Springbok tour to Australia and New Zealand - South Africa’s first venture to those countries. When the Springboks lost Sas de Kock to a broken ankle in the opening match of the New Zealand leg, Mannetjies Michau was moved from scrumhalf to flyhalf, opening the door for Townsend to step into the test side.

He made his debut in the first test at Carisbrook, Dunedin, representing his adopted country with calm assurance in a fast-paced and highly physical contest. His service from the base of the scrum was clean and decisive, and he adapted well to the intense pressure of test rugby. Though he played only briefly at international level, his inclusion in that historic touring side remains a significant achievement - one that linked his remarkable personal journey from Wales to the highest level of South African sport.

After his rugby career, Townsend remained connected to the game through local circles in Natal, remembered as a man of quiet resolve and warm humour. His life story - from Welsh dockworker to soldier, from serviceman to Springbok - captures the spirit of rugby’s early international pioneers: determined, adventurous, and utterly committed to the game they loved.