Gert Coetzer

Gert Coetzer (c. 1938–39 – 10 November 2018), also known by the nickname of "Oupa" (meaning "Old Man" in Afrikaans),[1] was a South African rugby union and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1950s and 1960s. He played representative level rugby union (RU) for Orange Free State (now represented by the Free State Cheetahs), and at club level for Bloemfontein Railway Institute RFC (in Bloemfontein, South Africa), as a wing, and representative level rugby league (RL) for South Africa (non-Test matches), Other Nationalities and Commonwealth XIII, and at club level for Johannesburg Celtic (in Johannesburg, South Africa), Bloemfontein Aquilae (in Bloemfontein, South Africa), and Wakefield Trinity (Heritage № 682), as a wing, or centre, i.e. number 2 or 5, or 3 or 4.[2]

Gert Coetzer
Personal information
Full nameGert Coetzer
Bornc. 1938–39
Bloemfontein, South Africa
Died10 November 2018 (aged 79)
Pretoria, South Africa
Playing information
Rugby union
PositionWing
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
≤1963–≤63 Bloemfontein RI RFC
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
≤1963–≤63 Orange Free State 44
Rugby league
PositionWing, Centre
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
≤1963–≤63 Johannesburg Celtic
≤1963–Feb 63 Bloemfontein Aquilae
Feb 1963–68 Wakefield Trinity 191 122 0 0 366
Total 191 122 0 0 366
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
≤1965–≥65 Commonwealth XIII ≥1
1965 Other Nationalities 1

Background

Gert Coetzer was born in Bloemfontein, South Africa, he worked as a waterworks superintendent in Yorkshire c. 1968, he bred and showed German Shepherds , including the champion; "Vanda" c. 1968, he died aged 79 in South Africa, and his funeral service took place at Nederduitse Gereformeerde Gemeente (Dutch Reformed Church) in Doornpoort, North East Pretoria, South Africa on Wednesday 14 November 2018.

Playing career

International honours

Gert Coetzer took part in a trial match for the South Africa (RU) (commonly known as the Springboks), he represented Other Nationalities (RL) while at Wakefield Trinity, he played left wing, i.e. number 5, in the 2-19 defeat by St. Helens at Knowsley Road, St. Helens on Wednesday 27 January 1965, to mark the switching-on of new floodlights,[3] represented Commonwealth XIII (RL) while at Wakefield Trinity in 1965 against New Zealand at Crystal Palace National Recreation Centre, London on Wednesday 18 August 1965,[4] and was selected for the South Africa (RL) squad to play in the 1963 tour of Australia. Unfortunately, he sustained a dislocated shoulder during the opening tour match against Monaro south of Canberra, and took no further part in the tour, and as South Africa (RL) played no further internationals in this era, there were no further opportunities to win international caps.

Championship Final appearances

Gert Coetzer played left wing, i.e. number 5, and scored two tries in Wakefield Trinity's 21-9 victory over St. Helens in the Championship Final replay during the 1966–67 season at Station Road, Swinton on Wednesday 10 May 1967, and played right wing, i.e. number 2, in the 17-10 victory over Hull Kingston Rovers in the Championship Final during the 1967-68 season at Headingley Rugby Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 4 May 1968.[5]

Challenge Cup Final appearances

Gert Coetzer played left wing, i.e. number 5, and scored 2-tries in Wakefield Trinity's 25-10 victory over Wigan in the 1962–63 Challenge Cup Final during the 1962–63 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 11 May 1963, in front of a crowd of 84,492, and played left-centre, i.e. number 4, in the 10-11 defeat by Leeds in the 1967–68 Challenge Cup "Watersplash" Final during the 1967–68 season at Wembley Stadium, London on Saturday 11 May 1968, in front of a crowd of 87,100.[5]

County Cup Final appearances

Gert Coetzer played left wing, i.e. number 5, in Wakefield Trinity's 18-2 victory over Leeds in the 1964–65 Yorkshire County Cup Final during the 1964–65 season at Fartown Ground, Huddersfield on Saturday 31 October 1964.

Club career

Gert Coetzer transferred from rugby union to rugby league with Wakefield Trinity during February 1963, he made his debut for Wakefield Trinity during March 1963, and he played his last match for Wakefield Trinity during the 1967–68 season.

Genealogical information

Gert Coetzer was married to Laurika (née Viljoen). They had children; Derek Coetzer (birth registered during first ¼ 1967 (age 53–54) in Dewsbury district).

References
  1. "Oupa at thefreedictionary.com". thefreedictionary.com. 31 December 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2018.
  2. "Farewell to 'first class' Trinity star Gert Coetzer". wakefieldexpress.co.uk. 16 November 2018. Retrieved 16 November 2018.
  3. Cook, H.B. (1965). Programme - St. Helens versus Other Nationalities. St. Helens Rugby F.C. Ltd.
  4. "…and win at Crystal Palace". rugbyleague.org. 31 December 2011. Archived from the original on 14 January 2010. Retrieved 1 January 2012.
  5. Hoole, Les (2004). Wakefield Trinity RLFC - FIFTY GREAT GAMES. Breedon Books. ISBN 1-85983-429-9
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