Springbok Greats - Tom van Vollenhoven

Dr. Danie Craven said of Tom:

"Tom first attracted my attention because of his speed, but he had weak hands. Many will disagree, but it is my belief that the further away from the scrum - in the three quarter line the less thinking there is to be done.

When you're on the wing you don't have to think about much except going for the corner. You have to concentrate your entire attention on running, on going for that line, and it is just coincidental if there's anybody in your way.

When Tom played in the first test in 1955 we saw that he was not a natural centre and selected him on the wing for the second test. But, which wing? We had Theuns Briers in the side and Tom certainly couldn't take his place. Eventually we put him on the left wing.

Tom had the ability to push off on his left foot and theoretically from there he would cut in and link up with his forwards.

It worked splendidly and at Newlands. Tom ran in three wonderful tries which helped South Africa to a well-deserved victory over a very good side one of the most outstanding wins in our history.

Later Tom joined rugby league in England and when I was in London some while after, I phoned him and we got together at my hotel and spoke far into the night.

He told me that while he was in South Africa he was a member of the S.A. Police Force, where there was plenty of discipline. Then he went to Rhodesia where he thought he could make a lot of money but he missed the discipline in his life; and when the offer came from St. Helens, he accepted.

As it turned out Tom Van Vollenhoven became probably the finest wing in the history of Rugby League, eclipsing even his fame as a Springbok which was considerable.