Charles Saxton

Charles Kesteven Saxton (23 May 1913 – 4 July 2001) was a New Zealand rugby union and cricket player, coach and administrator.

Early life Born at Kurow in North Otago, Saxton was educated at Otago Boys' High School in Dunedin, where he was a member of the school's 1st XV rugby team between 1931 and 1932 coached by Jimmy Duncan.

Rugby union career A halfback, Saxton represented Otago, South Canterbury, and Southland at a provincial level, and was a member of the New Zealand national side, the All Blacks, in 1938. He played seven matches for the All Blacks including three internationals. At the conclusion of World War II he captained the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force "Kiwis" team on their 1945–46 tour of Britain and Europe.

In the 1978 New Year Honours, Saxton was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire, for services to rugby.

Cricket career An opening batsman and occasional wicketkeeper, Saxton played seven first-class games for Otago between the 1934–35 and 1938–39 seasons. He scored 226 runs at an average of 17.38, with a high score of 37, playing in all three of Otago's Plunket Shield matches during 1934–35 and appearing in two Shield matches and against the touring MCC side in the following season. His final first-class match against Auckland was played during 1938–39. He later assisted with coaching Otago between 1948–49 and 1956–57.