Freddy Turner
{{short description|South African rugby union player (1914-2003)}}
{{distinguish|Frederick Harding Turner}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Use South African English|date=August 2012}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
|name = Freddy Turner
|image =
|caption =
|birth_name = Frederick George Turner
|birth_date = {{Birth date|1914|3|18|df=y}}
|birth_place = Port Elizabeth, Cape Province, South Africa
|death_date = {{Death date and age|2003|9|12|1914|3|18|df=yes}}
|death_place = Bryanston, Johannesburg, South Africa
|height =
|weight =
|school = Grey High School, Port Elizabeth
|ru_position = Wing, Centre, Fullback
|amatyears1 =
|amatteam1 = Crusader RFC
|amatyears2 =
|amatteam2 = Pirates Club
|amatyears3 =
|amatteam3 = Hamiltons
|amatyears4 =
|amatteam4 = Military College
|amatyears5 =
|amatteam5 = Union
|amatyears6 =
|amatteam6 = Wanderers Club
|ru_province1 = {{rut|Eastern Province}}
|ru_provinceyears1 = 1932–34
|provinceapps1 =
|provincepoints1 =
|province2 = {{rut|Transvaal}}
|provinceyears2 = 1935–38
|provinceapps2 =
|provincepoints2 =
|province3 = {{rut|Western Province}}
|provinceyears3 = 1939–41
|provinceapps3 =
|provincepoints3 =
|province4 = {{rut|Northern Transvaal}}
|provinceyears4 =
|provinceapps4 =
|provincepoints4 =
|ru_provinceupdate =
|repteam1 = South Africa
|repyears1 = 1933–38
|repcaps1 = 11
|reppoints1 = 29
|ru_ntupdate =
}}
Frederick George Turner (18 March 1914 – 12 September 2003) was a South African rugby union international who represented his country in 11 Tests. Sometimes his name is given as "Freddie" Turner.{{Cite web|title=Frederick George Turner|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/southafrica/rugby/player/4118.html|access-date=2021-07-26|website=ESPN scrum}}
Cricket career
Turner, a graduate of Grey High School, played three first-class cricket matches for Eastern Province in the 1931/32 Currie Cup season. After exactly ten years out of cricket, while he concentrated on rugby, he returned to the field in January 1942 and made his fourth and last first-class appearance, this time with Transvaal.{{cite web|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Players/3/3257/First-Class_Matches.html|title=First-Class Matches played by Frederick Turner| publisher=CricketArchive}} His only wicket in these matches was Rhodesian Victor Robinson while he failed to impress with the bat.
Rugby union career
He played his early rugby at the Crusader RFC and represented four provinces, {{rut|Eastern Province}}, {{rut|Western Province}}, {{rut|Transvaal}} and {{rut|Northern Transvaal}} at provincial rugby. On 8 July 1933, Turner became the 232nd Springbok when he made his international debut, against {{Nrut|Australia}} in Cape Town. Aged just 19 at the time, he was also the first South African rugby player to fly to a Test Match after being called up late. He later told friends and family that the biggest challenge that day was finding the airport in Port Elizabeth.{{Cite book|title=The South African Rugby Annual 2004|last=Colquhoun|first=Andy|publisher=SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd & MWP Media Sport|year=2004|isbn=0958440484|location=Cape Town|pages=448}}
He went on to be capped a further ten times at Test level, including a tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1937. He made his last appearance against the British Isles in 1938 where he scored his fourth and final try. Used mainly on the wing but also at centre and fullback, Turner was handy at kicking goals and managed four conversions and three penalties in his career.{{cite web|url=http://www.sarugby.co.za/profiles.asp?id=46636&Search=turner|title=Profile: Frederick George Turner|publisher=SA Rugby}}{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
= Test history =
| class="wikitable sortable" | ||||||
| No. | Opponents | Results (SA 1st) | Position | Points | Dates | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | {{ru|AUS}} | align="center"|17–3 | Wing | 8 Jul 1933 | Newlands, Cape Town | |
| style="background: #D0E6FF;"
| 2. | {{ru|AUS}} | align="center"|6–21 | Centre | 22 Jul 1933 | Kingsmead, Durban | |
| 3. | {{ru|AUS}} | align="center"|12–3 | Wing | 3 (1 try) | 12 Aug 1933 | Ellis Park, Johannesburg |
| style="background: #D0E6FF;"
| 4. | {{ru|AUS}} | align="center"|9–5 | Wing | 26 Jun 1937 | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney | |
| 5. | {{ru|AUS}} | align="center"|26–17 | Wing | 17 Jul 1937 | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney | |
| style="background: #D0E6FF;"
| 6. | {{ru|NZL}} | align="center"|7–13 | Fullback | 14 Aug 1937 | Athletic Park, Wellington | |
| 7. | {{ru|NZL}} | align="center"|13–6 | Wing | 3 (1 try) | 4 Sep 1937 | Lancaster Park, Christchurch |
| style="background: #D0E6FF;"
| 8. | {{ru|NZL}} | align="center"| 17–6 | Wing | 3 (1 try) | 25 Sep 1937 | Eden Park, Auckland |
| 9. | {{flagicon|UK}} British Isles | align="center"|26–12 | Wing | 6 Aug 1938 | Ellis Park, Johannesburg | |
| style="background: #D0E6FF;"
| 10. | {{flagicon|UK}} British Isles | align="center"|19–3 | Fullback | 10 (2 conv, 2 pen) | 3 Sep 1938 | Crusaders Ground, Port Elizabeth |
| 11. | {{flagicon|UK}} British Isles | align="center"|16–21 | Centre | 10 (1 try, 2 conv, 1 pen) | 10 Sep 1938 | Newlands, Cape Town |
Legend: try (3 pts); pen = penalty (3 pts.); conv = conversion (2 pts.), drop = drop kick (4 pts.).
See also
- List of South Africa national rugby union players – Springbok no. 232
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://content-aus.cricinfo.com/southafrica/content/player/47562.html Cricinfo: Frederick Turner]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20131216155221/http://www.genslin.us/bokke/SARugby.html Springbok Rugby Hall of Fame]
{{1937 Springboks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Turner, Freddy}}
Category:South African rugby union players
Category:South Africa international rugby union players
Category:South African cricketers
Category:Eastern Province cricketers
Category:Rugby union players from Gqeberha
Category:Eastern Province Elephants players
Category:Western Province (rugby union) players
Category:Alumni of Grey High School