Charlie Cockrell

Charles Herbert Cockrell (10 January 1939 – 4 October 2016) was a South African rugby union player who played three test matches for the South Africa national rugby union team.^[1]

Charlie Cockrell

Birth name	Charles Herbert Cockrell
Date of birth	10 January 1939
Place of birth	Cape Town, South Africa
Date of death	4 October 2016(2016-10-04) (aged 77)
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Weight	89 kg (196 lb)
School	JJ du Preez High School, Parow, Cape Town
Notable relative(s)	Robert Cockrell (brother)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Hooker Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) Paarl RFC () – Noordelikes (NTK Rugby Club) () Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) 1963–1971 Western Province 66 () International career Years Team Apps (Points) 1969–1970 South Africa 3

Playing career

Cockrell made his provincial debut for Western Province in 1963 and played in 66 matches for the union before he retired in 1971.^[2]

He made his test debut for the Springboks during the 1969–70 Springbok tour of Britain and Ireland against Scotland on 6 December 1969 at Murrayfield in Edinburgh. Cockrell also played in the test matches against Ireland and Wales during the tour and in a further 7 tour matches for the Springboks.^[3][4]

Test history

No.	Opposition	Result (SA 1st)	Position	Tries	Date	Venue
1.	Scotland	3–6	Hooker		6 December 1969	Murrayfield, Edinburgh
2.	Ireland	8–8	Hooker		10 January 1970	Lansdowne Road, Dublin
3.	Wales	6–6	Hooker		24 January 1970	National Stadium, Cardiff

Coaching career

After his playing career, Cockrell went on to coach the De Beers rugby club in Kimberley and Griquas during the 1975 Currie Cup competition.

He also coached with Hennie Muller at Northerns (Connect NTK RFC) and took over as head coach after Hennie's sudden death in 1977. He regarded Hennie Muller as one of his mentors also playing as a player himself for Northerns 1st Team under Hennie as the coach.

He was also assistant coach to Dawie Snyman for Western Province when they won the Currie Cup five times in a row between 1982–1986.^[2]

See also

• List of South Africa national rugby union players – Springbok no. 441