James Small
Full names: James Terence
Date of birth: 10 Feb 1969
Place of birth: Cape Town
School: Greenside
Springbok no: 561
Debut test province: Lions
Physical: 1.82m, 93kg
Date of death: 10 Jul 2019 (Age 50)

Test summary: Tests: 47 Tries: 20
First Test: 15 Aug 1992 Age:23 Right Wing against New Zealand at Ellispark, Johannesburg
Last Test: 6 Dec 1997 Age:28 Right Wing against Scotland at Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Test history:
DateAgePositionOpponentResultScoreVenueProv
15 Aug 199223Right WingNew ZealandLose: 24-27 Ellispark, JohannesburgLions
22 Aug 199223Right WingAustraliaLose: 3-26 Newlands, Cape TownLions
17 Oct 199223Right WingFranceWin: 20-151 tryStade de Gerland, LyonLions
24 Oct 199223Right WingFranceLose: 16-29 Parc des Princes, ParisLions
14 Nov 199223Right WingEnglandLose: 16-33 Twickenham, LondonLions
26 Jun 199324Right WingFranceDraw: 20-20 Kingspark, DurbanSharks
03 Jul 199324Right WingFranceLose: 17-181 tryEllispark, JohannesburgSharks
31 Jul 199324Right WingAustraliaWin: 19-122 triesSydney Football Stadium (Aussie stadium), SydneySharks
14 Aug 199324Right WingAustraliaLose: 20-28 Ballymore, BrisbaneSharks
21 Aug 199324Right WingAustraliaLose: 12-191 trySydney Football Stadium (Aussie stadium), SydneySharks
06 Nov 199324Right WingArgentinaWin: 29-262 triesFerrocarril-Oeste Stadium, Buenos AiresSharks
13 Nov 199324Right WingArgentinaWin: 52-232 triesFerrocarril-Oeste Stadium, Buenos AiresSharks
04 Jun 199425Right WingEnglandLose: 15-32 Loftus Versfeld, PretoriaSharks
11 Jun 199425Right WingEnglandWin: 27-9 Newlands, Cape TownSharks
09 Jul 199425Right WingNew ZealandLose: 14-22 Carisbrook, DunedinSharks
23 Jul 199425Right WingNew ZealandLose: 9-13 Athletic Park, WellingtonSharks
06 Aug 199425ReserveNew ZealandDraw: 18-18 Eden Park, AucklandSharks
08 Oct 199425Right WingArgentinaWin: 42-22 Boet Erasmus, Port ElizabethSharks
13 Apr 199526Right WingSamoaWin: 60-81 tryEllispark, JohannesburgSharks
25 May 199526Right WingAustraliaWin: 27-18 Newlands, Cape TownSharks
30 May 199526Right WingRomaniaWin: 21-8 Newlands, Cape TownSharks
17 Jun 199526Right WingFranceWin: 19-15 Kingspark, DurbanSharks
24 Jun 199526Right WingNew ZealandWin: 15-12 Ellispark, JohannesburgSharks
02 Sep 199526Right WingWalesWin: 40-111 tryEllispark, JohannesburgSharks
12 Nov 199526Right WingItalyWin: 40-21 Olympic Stadium, RomeSharks
18 Nov 199526ReserveEnglandWin: 24-14 Twickenham, LondonSharks
02 Jul 199627Right WingFijiWin: 43-18 Loftus Versfeld, PretoriaSharks
13 Jul 199627Right WingAustraliaLose: 16-21 Sydney Football Stadium (Aussie stadium), SydneySharks
20 Jul 199627Right WingNew ZealandLose: 11-15 Lancaster Park (Jade stadium), ChristchurchSharks
03 Aug 199627Full BackAustraliaWin: 25-19 Free State Stadium, BloemfonteinSharks
10 Aug 199627Full BackNew ZealandLose: 18-29 Newlands, Cape TownSharks
09 Nov 199627Right WingArgentinaWin: 46-151 tryFerrocarril-Oeste Stadium, Buenos AiresSharks
16 Nov 199627Right WingArgentinaWin: 44-21 Ferrocarril-Oeste Stadium, Buenos AiresSharks
30 Nov 199627Right WingFranceWin: 22-121 tryStade Municipal, BordeauxSharks
07 Dec 199627Right WingFranceWin: 13-12 Parc des Princes, ParisSharks
15 Dec 199627Right WingWalesWin: 37-20 Millenium Stadium (Cardiff Arms Park), CardiffSharks
10 Jun 199728Right WingTongaWin: 74-102 triesNewlands, Cape TownWP
21 Jun 199728Right WingBritainLose: 16-25 Newlands, Cape TownWP
19 Jul 199728ReserveNew ZealandLose: 32-35 Ellispark, JohannesburgWP
02 Aug 199728ReserveAustraliaLose: 20-32 Suncorp Stadium (Lang Park), BrisbaneWP
09 Aug 199728Right WingNew ZealandLose: 35-55 Eden Park, AucklandWP
23 Aug 199728Right WingAustraliaWin: 61-22 Loftus Versfeld, PretoriaWP
08 Nov 199728Right WingItalyWin: 62-312 triesDall'Ara Stadium, BolognaWP
15 Nov 199728Right WingFranceWin: 36-321 tryStade de Gerland, LyonWP
22 Nov 199728Right WingFranceWin: 52-10 Parc des Princes, ParisWP
29 Nov 199728Right WingEnglandWin: 29-11 Twickenham, LondonWP
06 Dec 199728Right WingScotlandWin: 68-102 triesMurrayfield, EdinburghWP

Top 50 Boks: 20 - James Small : SARugby.com

James Small was a prolific try-scorer and one of the most controversial players in Springbok history. He won 47 caps for South Africa in all, 44 on the wing and three at fullback. The naturally gifted Small was also a promising football player but decided to pursue a career in rugby.

Small was renowned for his short temper which at times landed him in hot water on and off the pitch but there was no denying his natural abilities. He made his international debut against New Zealand in Johannesburg on August 15, 1992 and made his final appearance against Scotland in Edinburgh on December 6, 1997.

Small had scintillating pace as well as a big boot and was a stern defender. His attacking prowess saw him eclipse Danie Gerber’s then Springbok record of 19 tries. However, most significantly was Small’s famous marking of giant All Black winger Jonah Lomu in the 1995 World Cup final.

Lomu stampeded and bulldozed his way over defender after defender and scored a World Cup record seven tries in the lead up to the final including four in the semi-final against England. The 1.96m, 115kg juggernaut was deemed unstoppable but Small stuck to him like glue and marked him out of the game.

Small remained a key player for the Springboks and played in the first Test of the British & Irish Lions series of 1997 before he made his exit from the international scene after scoring a brace of tries in South Africa’s 68-10 drubbing of Scotland on the end-of-year tour. He continued playing provincially until 1999 when he decided to call time on his career.

Records/Honours:

  • SA Player of the Year nominee, 1993
  • Member of the World Cup winning Springbok squad, 1995
  • Currie Cup winner with the Sharks, 1995 & 1996
  • Top try-scorer in the Super 12, 1996
  • Currie Cup winner with Western Province, 1997