Benjamin Robert Duff

Ben Duff (Western Province player) was the first ever Springbok rugby player to be capped as a Springbok. He played full-back and his jersey’s number was number 1. His test debut was on 30 Jul 1891

https://davesviews.wordpress.com/2013/07/04/springbok-no-1-ben-duff/

Benjamin Robert Duff was born on 16 October 1867 in Swellendam. He attended SACS (South African College School) in Cape Town and played provincial rugby for Western Province.

During the British Isles Tour of 1891, Ben played in all three tests against the visitors. He played fullback. Due to the team being announced from Fullback to the last forward, Ben Duff got the honour of being the first Springbok ever named. South Africa lost the test series 0-3.

Ben also played in one first class cricket match for Western Province. He batted at no. 10 in both innings. He scored 1 & 8. Test cricketer, Gus Kempis took his wicket in the first innings. The wicketkeeper for WP in that game was Alf Richard. Richard also played against the British Isles for South Africa in 1891.

He is one of two players that captained both a South African rugby and Cricket team.

Duff’s brother Colin played cricket for Rhodesia.

Ben Duff died on 25 June 1943, aged 75.

Ben Duff
Full names: Benjamin Robert
Date of birth: 16 Oct 1867
Place of birth: Swellendam
School: SACS
Springbok no: 1
Debut test province: Western Province
Date of death: 25 Jun 1943 (Age 75)

Test summary: Tests: 3 Tries: 0
First Test: 30 Jul 1891 Age:23 Full Back against Britain at Crusaders (St George's Park), Port Elizabeth
Last Test: 5 Sep 1891 Age:23 Full Back against Britain at Newlands, Cape Town

Test history:
Date Age Position Opponent Result Score Venue Prov
30 Jul 1891 23 Full Back Britain Lose: 0-4 Crusaders (St George's Park), Port Elizabeth WP
29 Aug 1891 23 Full Back Britain Lose: 0-3 Eclectic Cricket Ground, Kimberley WP
05 Sep 1891 23 Full Back Britain Lose: 0-4 Newlands, Cape Town WP

Ben Duff
Ben Duff
Benjamin Robert Duff was born on 16 October 1867 in Swellendam. He attended SACS (South African College School) in Cape Town and played provincial rugby for Western Province.

During the British Isles Tour of 1891, Ben played in all three tests against the visitors. He played fullback. Due to the team being announced from Fullback to the last forward, Ben Duff got the honour of being the first Springbok ever named. South Africa lost the test series 0-3.

Ben also played in one first class cricket match for Western Province. He batted at no. 10 in both innings. He scored 1 & 8. Test cricketer, Gus Kempis took his wicket in the first innings. The wicketkeeper for WP in that game was Alf Richards. Richards also played against the British Isles for South Africa in 1891. He is one of two players that captained both a South African Rugby and Cricket team.

Duff’s brother Colin played cricket for Rhodesia.

Ben Duff died on 25 June 1943, aged 75.

Benn Duff : Hamilton SP RFC History
Full Name: Benjamin Robert Duff

Born: Swellendam, 16 October 1867

Deceased: Pretoria Hospital, 25 June 1943

Clubs: SA College, Hamiltons, Pretoria

Provinces: Western Province, Transvaal

International Career: 1891: 3 tests: SA vs British Isles

Position: Fullback

Ben Duff’s father came from Stirling in Scotland and worked in the Postal Department and he was one of six children. His home at Green Point was called Braemar.

Ben Duff was the first Western Province captain in the Currie Cup tournament. His brother Colin also played for Western Province and Rhodesia. Ben played cricket for Western Province and his brother for Rhodesia.

When the 1891 British team came on tour, Ben Duff played against them for Cape Town Clubs, Western Province, the Cape Colony (three times), and South Africa (three times), always on the losing side. Colin Duff played against the 1896 side for Cape Town Clubs and Western Province (twice). On the first occasion Western Province drew with the British Isles. Colin Duff was a three-quarter. Ben Duff was one of five players to play in all three tests in the 1891 series. The others were Chubb Vigne, Alf Richards, Oupa Versfeld, and Japie Louw.
Duff Street : G.J. van Eck.
DUFF, Ben, wat die W.P.-span as kaptein aangevoer het teen die besoekende Britte in 1891, het ook vir Suid-Afrika in die allereerste internasionale wedstryd gespeel, nl. in Julie op die Crusadersveld, Port Elizabeth, asook op die ander twee toetswedstryde te Kimberley en op Nuweland, Kaapstad.

Ben Duff was 'n Kapenaar van geboorte en het aan S.A.C.S. onderrig ontvang.

BRONNE:
(a) Rugby in S.A. Uitgegee deur Johnston & Neville ten behoewe van Die S.A. Rugbyraad.
(b) CRAVEN, Danie: Springboks Down the Years.

- Uit Pretoriana: Rugby Springbokke na wie straatname in Danville, Pretoria, vernoem is