Jan Ellis
South Africa
player portrait
Full name Jan Hendrik Ellis
Born January 5, 1942, Brakpan
Died February 8, 2013, Pretoria (aged 71 years 34 days)
Major teams Presidents XV, South Africa Gazelles, South Africa
Position Flanker
Height 6 ft 2 in
Weight 215 lb

Test career
Span Mat Start Sub Pts Tries Conv Pens Drop GfM Won Lost Draw %
All Tests 1965-1976 38 38 0 21 7 0 0 0 0 22 10 6 65.78

Career statistics
Test debut New Zealand v South Africa at Wellington, Jul 31, 1965 match details
Last Test South Africa v New Zealand at Durban, Jul 24, 1976 match details
Test Statsguru Main menu | Career summary | Match list | Most points | Most tries | Tournament list
Profile

Jan Ellis played the first of his 38 Tests as a flanker against the All Blacks in 1965 and only missed one match until he was dropped for good 11 years later. His final Test appearance, a 16-7 victory over the All Blacks in 1976, equalled Frik du Preez's then-record for test caps for South Africa and there was uproar when the selectors ditched him. He was born in Brakpan in South Africa but moved to Namibia as an infant and won a place at the Springbok trials after impressing for South West Africa against the Lions in 1964. He was renowned for his remarkable work ethic, the way he carried the ball in one hand, but also for his short fuse. He was something of a loner off the pitch, avoiding most social functions, and as a result had few friends in the game. Ellis played most of his representative rugby in South West Africa ending it with Transvaal in 1975 and 1976. He was an auctioneer and then a garage proprietor. In 2000 he was shot and seriously injured in an armed robbery at his garage and his health never fully recovered.

Latest Articles
Springbok legend Jan Ellis dies (Feb 8, 2013)
Latest Photos
Nov 1, 1969
Jan Ellis pictured at the start of the Springboks tour
Jan Ellis pictured at the start of the Springboks tour
©  PA Photos

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