Lofty Nel dies at 80
The famous former Springbok loose forward, Lotfy Nel, died this week in Pretoria.
Former Springbok Lofty Nel passed away on Monday afternoon in Pretoria at the age of 80.
The former Bok loose forward played the last of his 11 Test matches on 12 September 1970 against New Zealand at the age of 35. Nel, who was christened Johannes Arnoldus, played against the All Blacks eight times and also played three tests against Australia.
He made his Test debut on 25 June 1960 against New Zealand in Johannesburg, becoming Springbok number 362. He played flank in five Tests and No 8 in six.
Nel played a total of 24 matches for the Springboks and interestingly also played against six touring teams in South Africa in provincial colours. He faced Ireland (1961), the British & Irish Lions (1962 and 1968), Australia (1963 and 1969), Rhodesia (1966), France (1967) and New Zealand in 1970.
He played most of his provincial rugby for Western Transvaal (now the Leopards), who won the SARB Board Trophy in 1964 under his captaincy and also donned the colours of Transvaal (the Golden Lions) and South Eastern Transvaal (the Pumas), for whom he played his last match aged 39.
Nel’s son, Pieter, played centre and wing for the Blue Bulls from 1987-1992 in 49 matches.
His funeral service was on Thursday at Wapadrand Reformed Church, Pretoria. He leaves behind his wife, Hester, three children, Dina, Pieter and Hessie, and eight grandchildren.
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