Chris Pope (rugby union)

Christopher Francis Pope (born 30 September 1952) is a former South African rugby union player.[1]

Chris Pope

Birth name	Christopher Francis Pope
Date of birth	30 September 1952
Place of birth	Stellenbosch, Western Cape
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight	91 kg (201 lb)
School	Rondebosch Boys' High School
University	University of Cape Town
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 1972–1976 Western Province () National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1974–1976 South Africa 9 (4)

Playing career

Pope matriculated at Rondebosch Boys' High School in Cape Town and attended the University of Cape Town for a medical degree. He made his provincial debut for Western Province in 1972 against Northern Transvaal at Loftus Versfeld. In 1976, Pope scored the winning try for Western Province during their 12–11 victory over the touring All Blacks.[2]

Pope made his test debut for the Springboks against the 1974 British Lions at Newlands in Cape Town and was the only backline player to play in all four tests during the series against the Lions. At the end of 1974 Pope toured with the Springboks to France without playing in any tests and then played in five more tests, two against France and three against the All Blacks. [3] He also played in four tour matches for the Springboks.[4]

Test history

No.	Opponents	Results (RSA 1st)	Position	Tries	Dates	Venue
1.	British Lions	3–12	Wing		8 June 1974	Newlands, Cape Town
2.	British Lions	9–28	Wing		22 June 1974	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
3.	British Lions	9–26	Wing		13 July 1974	Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth
4.	British Lions	13–13	Wing		27 July 1974	Ellis Park, Johannesburg
5.	France	38–25	Wing	1	21 June 1975	Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
6.	France	33–18	Wing		28 June 1975	Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
7.	New Zealand	9–15	Wing		14 August 1976	Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
8.	New Zealand	15–10	Wing		4 September 1976	Newlands, Cape Town
9.	New Zealand	15–14	Wing		18 September 1976	Ellis Park, Johannesburg

See also

• List of South Africa national rugby union players – Springbok no. 461

References

1. "Chris Pope". ESPN scrum. Retrieved 2020-06-11.
2. Parker, A. C. (1983). W.P. Rugby : centenary, 1883-1983. Western Province Rugby Football Union (South Africa) (1st ed.). Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa: WPRFU. pp. 124, 132. ISBN 0-620-06555-9. OCLC 54188953.CS1 maint: date and year (link)
3. Jooste, Graham K. (1995). South African rugby test players 1949-1995. Johannesburg: Penguin. pp. 85–96. ISBN 0140250174. OCLC 36916860.
4. Colquhoun, Andy (1999). The South African Rugby Annual 1999. Cape Town: MWP Media Sport. p. 157. ISBN 0958423148.