Martin Pelser
Full names: Hendrik Jacobus Martin
Date of birth: 23 Mar 1934
Place of birth: Johannesburg
School: Vorentoe (Rossmore HS)
Springbok no: 341
Debut test province: Transvaal
Physical: 1.88m, 94.3kg
Date of death: 15 Aug 2018 (Age 84)

Test summary: Tests: 11 Tries: 2
First Test: 26 Jul 1958 Age:24 Flank against France at Newlands, Cape Town
Last Test: 12 Aug 1961 Age:27 Flank against Australia at Boet Erasmus, Port Elizabeth
Test history:
DateAgePositionOpponentResultScoreVenueProv
26 Jul 195824FlankFranceDraw: 3-3 Newlands, Cape TownTvl
25 Jun 196026FlankNew ZealandWin: 13-0 Ellispark, JohannesburgTvl
23 Jul 196026FlankNew ZealandLose: 3-11 Newlands, Cape TownTvl
13 Aug 196026FlankNew ZealandDraw: 11-11 Free State Stadium, BloemfonteinTvl
27 Aug 196026FlankNew ZealandWin: 8-31 tryBoet Erasmus, Port ElizabethTvl
03 Dec 196026FlankWalesWin: 3-0 Millenium Stadium (Cardiff Arms Park), CardiffTvl
17 Dec 196026FlankIrelandWin: 8-3 Aviva Stadium (Lansdowne Road), DublinTvl
18 Feb 196126FlankFranceDraw: 0-0 Stade Olympique, Colombes, ParisTvl
13 May 196127FlankIrelandWin: 24-8 Newlands, Cape TownTvl
05 Aug 196127FlankAustraliaWin: 28-31 tryEllispark, JohannesburgTvl
12 Aug 196127FlankAustraliaWin: 23-11 Boet Erasmus, Port ElizabethTvl

Martin Pelser : Doc Craven

Martin Pelser had only one eye. It always astounded me how he could see all over the field with only one eye, yet it never seemed to bother him and he played with fury and commitment.

He, Doug Hopwood and Hugo van Zyl formed a cohesive unit and helped the tight forwards in the set play while the tight forwards responded by helping them in the loose. Martin Pelser was strong, fast, and he had the marvellous quality of anticipation.

A tough man who could use his fists if necessary, but only if sorely provoked. He was too much of a gentleman to pick fights on the field.

Martin turned professional eventually; I don't hold it against him at all. We were caught napping when some eight or nine Boks turned professional at the time. I don't believe his heart was in it though, and I think he only did it because he possibly needed the money at the time.

One of the great loose forwards of all time.