Bennie Osler

Infobox Rugby biography
name = Bennie Osler


caption =
birthname = Benjamin Louwrens Osler
nickname =
dateofbirth = 1901-11-23
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placeofbirth = Aliwal North, South Africa
dateofdeath = 1962-04-28
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height = height|m=1.73
weight = convert|70|kg|lb|abbr=on|lk=on
ru_position = Fly-half|capital=yes
ru_amateuryears =
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ru_amclubcaps =
ru_amclubpoints =
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ru_province = Western Province
ru_provinceyears =
ru_provincecaps =
ru_provincepoints =
ru_provinceupdate = 2007-11-29
ru_sevensnationalyears =
ru_sevensnationalteam =
ru_sevensnationalcomp =
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ru_nationalteam = South Africa
ru_nationalyears = 1924–1933
ru_nationalcaps = 17
ru_nationalpoints = (46)
ru_ntupdate = 2007-11-29
ru_coachclubs =
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other = yes
occupation =
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school = Kingswood College, Grahamstown
university =
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Benjamin Louwrens Osler (23 November 1901 – 28 April 1962) was a rugby union footballer who played internationally for South Africa. Osler played mainly at Fly-half for both South Africa, and his provincial team of Western Province.

Osler was born at Aliwal North. He was first selected to play on 16 August 1924 against Britain when they toured South Africa. This was the first of his 17 consecutive Test appearances for South Africa.cite web| url=http://www.rugbyhalloffame.com/pages/osler2007.htm |title=Bennie Osler |publisher=rugbyhalloffame.com |accessdate=2007-11-29] Osler played in the other three Tests of Britain's tour, and contributed to South Africa winning three of the four Tests.cite web| url=http://www.genslin.us/bokke/PlayerData.aspx?PlayerID=150 |title=Bennie Osler |publisher=genslin.us |accessdate=2007-11-29] The only Test of the series the Springboks did not win was their 3–3 draw in Port Elizabeth where Osler was temporarily knocked out.cite web| url=http://www.stgeorgespark.nmmu.ac.za/content/rugby/displayarticle.asp?artid=rug_011 |title=1924 British Rugby Tour of South Africa - Third Test |publisher=stgeorgespark.nmmu.ac.za |accessdate=2007-11-29]

The next Springbok (as the South African team is known) series was hosting New Zealand's All Blacks in 1928. The teams had met once before in a Test series, drawn 1–1 (with 1 match drawn) in New Zealand in 1921. The first Test was played in Durban and the Springboks won 17–0, with Osler scoring a world record 14 points in the match.cite web| url=http://www.dispatch.co.za/2007/08/02/Sport/brug3.html |title=Springboks chanted own haka–in 1928 |publisher=dispatch.co.za |accessdate=2007-11-29 |last=Martin |first=Peter] Osler played in the remaining three Tests and the series was eventually drawn 2–2; just like in 1921.

Osler's first overseas tour was in 1931 when he captained the Springboks on their tour to the Home Nations. He captained the team and played in all four Tests; playing against England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Osler's Springboks became the second South African team, and only second of all time, to win a Grand Slam—a win over all four Home Nations on one tour. The tour continued into 1932 and the team eventually played 26 matches, with only one loss.

In 1933 Osler played in his last ever Test series when Australia toured South Africa. They played a five match series and Osler played in all five Tests. During the series he scored a try, conversion and drop-goal.

Osler is remembered as a fly-half who played a kicking game; that is, he would often kick for territory rather than run with the ball, or pass to his backs. His accuracy when kicking allowed South African teams he was in to play a forward oriented game, commonly referred to as ten-man rugby. [Ten man rugby refers to the eight forward, Scrum-half and fly-half.] His contribution to international rugby was acknowledged when he was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2007.

References

External links

*cite web| url=http://www.scrum.com/1200_1205.php?player=26608&includeref=dynamic |publisher=scrum.com |accessdate=2007-11-29 |title=Bennie Osler

Persondata
NAME=Osler, Bennie
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Former South African rugby union footballer.
DATE OF BIRTH=23 November 1901
PLACE OF BIRTH=Aliwal North, South Africa
DATE OF DEATH=28 April 1962
PLACE OF DEATH=