Davey Cope

Davey Cope

Full name	David Gill Cope
Date of birth	(1877-08-14)14 August 1877
Place of birth	Kimberley, South Africa
Date of death	16 August 1898(1898-08-16) (aged 21)
Place of death	Mostert's Hoek, South Africa
School	Diocesan College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Fullback Provincial / State sides Years Team Apps (Points) Correct as of 19 July 2010 National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1896 South Africa 1 (2) Correct as of 19 July 2010

David Gill "Davey" Cope (14 August 1877 – 16 August 1898) was a South African international rugby union player.

Born in Kimberley, he attended Diocesan College before playing provincial rugby for Transvaal (now known as the Golden Lions).

He made his only Test appearance for South Africa during Great Britain's 1896 tour. He played as a fullback in the 2nd Test of the series, an 8–17 South Africa loss at the Wanderers Ground.^[1] During the match he became the first South African to kick a goal in a Test after converting Theo Samuels's try.

In addition to his rugby career, Cope was also a good enough cricketer to make first-class appearances for the Transvaal cricket team.^[2]

Cope died in 1898 at the age of 21, after he was involved in a train crash at Mostert’s Hoek on his way to a Currie Cup match.^[3]

References