Flippie van der Merwe


Philip "Flippie" Rudolph van der Merwe is a South African former rugby union player who played six test matches for the South Africa national rugby union team from 1981 to 1989.

Playing career

Van der Merwe made his provincial debut for WP in 1977 while a student at Stellenbosch University. He was selected on the replacement bench for the Springboks in the first tests against the touring British Lions in 1980. Van der Merwe made his test debut in 1981 against New Zealand on 29 August 1981 at Athletic Park in Wellington. He played his last test match for the Springboks, eight years later, against the World XV at Newlands. Van der Merwe also played in six tour matches for the Springboks.
In 1986, van der Merwe was selected to represent the Overseas Unions XV against the Five Nations XV in a match played at Twickenham Stadium to commemorate the centenary of the International Rugby Football Board.

Test history

No.OppositionResult PositionTriesDateVenue
1.24–12 Tighthead prop29 August 1981Athletic Park, Wellington
2. New Zealand22–25Tighthead prop12 September 1981Eden Park, Auckland
3.38–7Tighthead prop20 September 1981Owl Creek Polo ground, Glenville, New York
4.New Zealand Cavaliers 21–15Tighthead prop10 May 1986Newlands, Cape Town
5.New Zealand Cavaliers 18–19Tighthead prop17 May 1986Kings Park, Durban
6.World XV 20–19Tighthead prop26 Aug 1989Newlands, Cape Town

Personal

Van der Merwe is the father of François van der Merwe, a professional rugby player and Flip van der Merwe, also a former professional rugby player and Springbok.