The Numbers: 325/864 - Popeye Strydom Full names: Coenraad Frederick Date of birth: 20 Jan 1932 Place of birth: Kareedouw School: Grey College Springbok no: 325 Debut test province: Orange Free State Physical: 1.65m, 66.68kg Date of death: 31 Mar 2001 (Age 69) Test summary: Tests: 6 Tries: 0 First Test: 3 Sep 1955 Age:23 Scrumhalf against Britain at Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria Last Test: 26 Jul 1958 Age:26 Scrumhalf against France at Newlands, Cape Town Coenraad Frederik Popeye Strydom (25 January 1932 – 31 March 2001) was a South Africa national rugby union team player. In all, Strydom made six appearances for the Springboks between 1955 and 1958. His rugby nickname, Popeye, was often cited together with other colourful nicknames such as those of Piston Van Wyk, Klippies Kritzinger, and Hempies Du Toit. He started playing provincial rugby with Orange Free State in 1952, and would later play for Eastern Province. Strydom also played baseball for these provinces. Strydom made his international debut as a scrum-half for the Springboks against the British and Irish Lions in their 1955 tour. Strydoms sole appearance in the four-match series came in the third test match in Pretoria — a match that South Africa lost 9–6. His next appearance for the Springboks came on the 1956 tour of Australia and New Zealand. Strydom took part in the first two Tests of the tour, a pair of victories over Australia in Sydney and Brisbane. After winning the two test series against Australia, the Springboks travelled to New Zealand to compete in four tests. Strydom was selected to play in the first test, which was won by the All Blacks at Carisbrook, Dunedin. He was not selected again until the fourth test in Auckland, at which point the All Blacks held a 2–1 series lead. New Zealand, in front of 61,240 at Eden Park, won the game 11–5 to take the series. Strydom played his final match for South Africa in the first test of Frances 1958 tour at Newlands Stadium, Cape Town. The game ended in a 3–3 draw.
Posted on: Tue, 18 Nov 2014 06:18:05 +0000
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