Davey Cope

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Davey Cope
Birth nameDavid Gill Cope
Date of birth(1877-08-14)14 August 1877
Place of birthKimberley, Cape Colony
Date of death16 August 1898(1898-08-16) (aged 21)
Place of deathMostert's Hoek, South Africa
SchoolDiocesan College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
Transvaal ()
Correct as of 19 July 2010
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1896 South Africa 1 (2)
Correct as of 19 July 2010

David Gill "Davey" Cope (14 August 1877 – 16 August 1898) was a South African international rugby union player.

Born in Kimberley, he attended Diocesan College before playing provincial rugby for Transvaal (now known as the Golden Lions).

He made his only Test appearance for South Africa during Great Britain's 1896 tour. He played as a fullback in the 2nd Test of the series, an 8–17 South Africa loss at the Wanderers Ground.[1] During the match he became the first South African to kick a goal in a Test after converting Theo Samuels's try.

In addition to his rugby career, Cope was also a good enough cricketer to make first-class appearances for the Transvaal cricket team.[2]

Cope died in 1898 at the age of 21, after he was involved in a train crash at Mostert's Hoek on his way to a Currie Cup match.[3]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Tom Mellet". Springbok Rugby Hall of Fame. Retrieved 16 July 2010.
  2. ^ "David Cope". Cricinfo.
  3. ^ "School Profiles: DIOCESAN COLLEGE (BISHOPS)". Rugby 365. Archived from the original on 16 June 2011. Retrieved 16 July 2010.