Giepie Wentzel
Full names: Gideon Johannes
Date of birth: 28 Feb 1938
Place of birth: Cradock
School: Cradock
Springbok no: 366
Springbok debut province: EP Kings
Date of death: 1 Jul 1996 (Age 58)
Test summary: No Tests


Gideon Jacobus Wentzel was the side's second full-back and utility back and was a member of the small group of happy personalities in the side who enjoyed themselves on and off the field. Wentzel was a good footballer with considerable ability, and while he performed enthusiastically at full-back and did not let the side down, except in his place-kicking in early games, it was most apparent that he would have been of greater use somewhere in midfield. In view of the stereo typed play of the two senior outside-halves, it is surprising that Wentzel was not played more frequently in this position, but unfortunately a long spell (twelve matches) with serious injury, following the match at Gloucester, prevented him from blossoming forth as one of the star performers of the Tour. He was selected to play his first Test match against France in 1958 as an outside-half, but had to withdraw because of injury and is still without a Test to his credit. He toured in South America with the Juuior Springboks in 1959, playing in four positions. Known as `Giepie', he is a happy fellow and an excellent cricketer, as one would expect from a young physical education teacher!