Robert James Cockrell (4 April 1950 – 26 May 2000) was a South African rugby union player who played eleven test matches for the South Africa national rugby union team.[1][2]

Robert Cockrell
Birth nameRobert James Cockrell
Date of birth4 April 1950
Place of birthCape Town, South Africa
Date of death25 May 2000(2000-05-25) (aged 50)
Place of deathTable View, South Africa
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight95 kg (209 lb)
SchoolJG Meiring High School, Goodwood, Cape Town
Notable relative(s)Charlie Cockrell (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
Villagers RFC ()
Noordelikes ()
Paarl RFC ()
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1972–1982 Western Province 102 ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1974–1981 South Africa 11 (4)

Playing career

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Cockrell made his provincial debut for Western Province in 1972 and played in 102 matches for the union.[3]

He made his test debut for the Springboks on 23 November 1974 at Stade Municipal in Toulouse against France. Cockrell scored his first and only test try during his third test match on 21 June 1975 in Bloemfontein against the touring French team captained by Richard Astre.

His last test match, was the Springboks’ first ever test match against the USA on 20 September 1981 at the Owl Creek Polo ground in Glenville, New York.[4] Cockrell also played in 14 tour matches for the Springboks and scored one try.[5]

Test history

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No. Opposition Result
(SA 1st)
Position Tries Date Venue
1.   France 13–4 Hooker 23 Nov 1974 Stade Municipal, Toulouse
2.   France 10–8 Hooker 30 Nov 1974 Parc des Princes, Paris
3.   France 38–25 Hooker 1 21 Jun 1975 Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
4.   France 33–18 Hooker 28 Jun 1975 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
5.   New Zealand 16–7 Hooker 24 Jul 1976 Kings Park Stadium, Durban
6.   New Zealand 9–15 Hooker 14 Aug 1976 Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
7.  World XV 45–24 Hooker 27 Aug 1977 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
8.   New Zealand 9–14 Hooker 15 Aug 1981 Lancaster Park, Christchurch
9.   New Zealand 24–12 Replacement 29 Aug 1981 Athletic Park, Wellington
10.   New Zealand 22–25 Hooker 12 Sep 1981 Eden Park, Auckland
11.   United States 38–7 Hooker 20 Sep 1981 Owl Creek Polo ground, Glenville, New York

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Robert Cockrell". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 28 March 2020.
  2. ^ Colquhoun, Andy (2001). The South African Rugby Annual 2001. Cape Town: MWP Media Sport. p. 384. ISBN 0958423180.
  3. ^ Parker, A. C. (1983). W.P. Rugby : centenary, 1883-1983. Western Province Rugby Football Union (South Africa) (1st ed.). Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa: WPRFU. p. 125. ISBN 0-620-06555-9. OCLC 54188953.
  4. ^ Jooste, Graham K. (1995). South African rugby test players 1949-1995. Johannesburg: Penguin. pp. 89–94, 97, 109–112. ISBN 0140250174. OCLC 36916860.
  5. ^ Colquhoun, Andy (1999). The South African Rugby Annual 1999. Cape Town: MWP Media Sport. p. 142. ISBN 0958423148.