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.

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.

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.

Test history

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