Ormond Bruce Taylor was born on 5 June 1937. Ormie, as he was known, was first picked to play for Natal in 1956and played a total of forty-eight games between 1956 and 1963.

Ormie was selected for the Junior Springbok tour of South America. Most of the games were played in Argentina being the strongest rugby nation in Latin America.

Matches were also played in Chile and Uruguay. Ormie distinguished himself on the tour from which the ‘baby Boks’ returned undefeated.

Ormie’s greatest game for Natal would have been the one against Wilson Whinelay’s All Blacks on 31 May 1960 at Kings Park Stadium. The All Blacks with the deadly boot of Don Clarke had already seen the strong Northern University side winning comfortably 45-6. So with a side also containing the legendary Colin Meads, Natal looked as if they would be in for a hard afternoons work. Ormie had another club mate in Tony Neveling on the field with him that Saturday afternoon, at the end of the game it was clear that the 27 000 spectators (a new record crowd for a provincial match at Kings Park) had been privy to one of Natal’s greatest games. The final score 6-6. Ormie became the top scorer in South Africa. He was part of the undefeated Natal side of 1961. Natal’s record stood at played nine, won eight, drew one.

With this record behind him Ormie was invited to the Springbok trials for the upcoming eighth British Isles tour to South Africa in 1962. Ormie was lucky to be teamed with Keith Oxlee for the trials, their mutual understanding carrying them through to the final trial. Oxlee was determined to help his team mate to make the Springbok side. With Oxlee constantly scheming, Ormie caused all sorts of problems for the ‘possibles’ backs. After this display it came as no surprise when Ormie was selected for the first test at Ellis Park on 23 June 1962. The Final score: 3-3.

As with so many others over the years, Ormie was dropped after just one test and never recalled.

Ormie still enjoys a cold one at the club every now and then.