Flippie van der Merwe

Philip "Flippie" Rudolph van der Merwe (born 8 July 1957 in Dibeng, Northern Cape Province) is a South African former rugby union player who played six test matches for the South Africa national rugby union team from 1981 to 1989.

Playing career Van der Merwe made his provincial debut for WP in 1977 while a student at Stellenbosch University. He was selected on the replacement bench for the Springboks in the first tests against the touring British Lions in 1980. Van der Merwe made his test debut in 1981 against New Zealand on 29 August 1981 at Athletic Park in Wellington. He played his last test match for the Springboks, eight years later, against the World XV at Newlands. Van der Merwe also played in six tour matches for the Springboks.

In 1986, van der Merwe was selected to represent the Overseas Unions XV against the Five Nations XV in a match played at Twickenham Stadium to commemorate the centenary of the International Rugby Football Board.

Test history

No. Opposition Result (SA 1st) Position Tries Date Venue 1. 24–12 Tighthead prop 29 Aug 1981 Athletic Park, Wellington 2. 22–25 Tighthead prop 12 Sep 1981 Eden Park, Auckland 3. 38–7 Tighthead prop 20 Sep 1981 Owl Creek Polo ground, Glenville, New York 4. New Zealand Cavaliers 21–15 Tighthead prop 10 May 1986 Newlands, Cape Town 5. New Zealand Cavaliers 18–19 Tighthead prop 17 May 1986 Kings Park, Durban 6. World XV20–19 Tighthead prop 26 Aug 1989 Newlands, Cape Town

Personal Van der Merwe is the father of François van der Merwe, a professional rugby player and Flip van der Merwe, also a former professional rugby player and Springbok.