Franz van der Ryst was a South African rugby player who played for the Springboks during their historic 1951-1952 tour of Great Britain, Ireland, and France. This tour is widely regarded as one of the most successful in South African rugby history, with the Springboks winning 30 out of 31 matches, including victories over the national teams of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.
Van der Ryst was part of this elite group, which cemented South Africa’s dominance in rugby during that period. Although more well-known figures from this tour included captains like Basil Kenyon, van der Ryst’s inclusion highlights his role within a very competitive squad. This Springbok team became iconic not only for their success but also for the strength and cohesion they displayed throughout the grueling tour schedule