Jacobus Frederick Beatrix 'Piston' van Wyk (born 21 December 1943) is a former South African rugby union player.

Piston van Wyk
Birth nameJacobus Frederick Beatrix van Wyk
Date of birth (1943-12-21) 21 December 1943 (age 80)
Place of birthVereeniging, Gauteng
Height1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight86 kg (190 lb)
SchoolJohn Orr Technical High School, Johannesburg
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
1970–1975 Northern Transvaal ()
1976 Natal ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1970–1976 South Africa 15

Playing career

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Van Wyk played most of his provincial rugby in South Africa with Northern Transvaal and also played one season with Natal. He made his test debut for the Springboks in 1970 against New Zealand at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria and played in all four tests during the series against the touring All Blacks. In 1971 he played in the test series against France and Australia and in 1972, he was the hooker in the losing test against England at Ellis Park. He then played three tests against the 1974 British Lions and two tests against the 1976 All Blacks.[1] He also played four tour matches for the Springboks.[2]

Test history

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No. Opponents Results
(SA 1st)
Position Tries Dates Venue
1.   New Zealand 17–6 Hooker 25 July 1970 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
2.   New Zealand 8–9 Hooker 8 August 1970 Newlands, Cape Town
3.   New Zealand 14–3 Hooker 29 August 1970 Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth
4.   New Zealand 20–17 Hooker 12 September 1970 Ellis Park, Johannesburg
5.   France 22–9 Hooker 12 June 1971 Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
6.   France 8–8 Hooker 19 June 1971 Kings Park, Durban
7.   Australia 19–11 Hooker 17 July 1971 Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
8.   Australia 14–6 Hooker 31 July 1971 Brisbane Exhibition Ground, Brisbane
9.   Australia 18–6 Hooker 7 August 1971 Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
10.   England 9–18 Hooker 3 June 1972 Ellis Park, Johannesburg
11.   British Lions 3–12 Hooker 8 June 1974 Newlands, Cape Town
12.   British Lions 9–26 Hooker 13 July 1974 Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth
13.   British Lions 13–13 Hooker 27 July 1974 Ellis Park, Johannesburg
14.   New Zealand 15–10 Hooker 4 September 1976 Newlands, Cape Town
15.   New Zealand 15–14 Hooker 18 September 1976 Ellis Park, Johannesburg

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Jooste, Graham K. (1995). South African rugby test players 1949-1995. Johannesburg: Penguin. pp. 75–96. ISBN 0140250174. OCLC 36916860.
  2. ^ Colquhoun, Andy (1999). The South African Rugby Annual 1999. Cape Town: MWP Media Sport. p. 164. ISBN 0958423148.