Gert Coetzer

Gert Coetzer

Personal information
Full name	Gert Coetzer
Born	c. 1938–39 Bloemfontein, South Africa
Died	10 November 2018 (aged 79) Pretoria, South Africa
Playing information
Rugby union
Position	Wing
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
Position	Wing, 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

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 No. 682), as a wing, or centre, i.e. number 2 or 5, or 3 or 4.^[2]

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 56–57) in Dewsbury district).

References

External links

• Search for "Coetzer" at rugbyleagueproject.org
• Free State Rugby Saddened By The Loss Of An Ex Free State Player
• Gert 'Oupa' Coetzer
• SA Rugby League Springboks who toured Australia in 1963
• Rugby League Final 1963
• Rugby Cup Final 1968
• Search for "Gert Coetzer" at britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk
• Search for "Oupa Coetzer" at britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk