Ronald “Ronnie” Potgieter was born on 18 November 1943 in Thabazimbi and became one of the dependable front-row stalwarts of Northern Transvaal during the late 1960s. A strong and technically sound prop, he combined physical power with a steady temperament that made him a reliable scrummager in an era when South African forward play set the global standard for toughness and discipline.

While studying engineering, Potgieter represented Northern Universities, South African Universities, the Barbarians, and the under-23 Gazelles, impressing with his consistency and work ethic. Between 1967 and 1969 he appeared in around thirty matches for Northern Transvaal, where his form earned him Springbok selection.

He made his Test debut in 1969 against England at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, wearing the green and gold for the first and only time. Though his international career was brief, Ronnie Potgieter’s quiet professionalism and solid scrummaging left a strong impression among teammates and opponents alike. Married with two children, he is remembered as one of the steady, unheralded anchors of South African rugby’s proud forward tradition.