Mannetjies Michau

Johannes Petrus Michau (6 October 1900 – 22 May 1960) was a South African international rugby union player.

Biography Born in Cradock, Michau attended Victoria College, Stellenbosch, and played rugby for Maties under renowned coach Oubaas Mark, who developed him into a scrum–half. He first earned Western Province representative honours his second year with Maties in 1919 and also made the Combined Southern Universities side that year.

Michau was the youngest Springbok on their 1921 tour of Australia and New Zealand, during which he played 16 fixtures. This included three Test matches against the All Blacks. He made his debut in the less accustomed position of fly–half for the series opener at Carisbrook, then was scrum–half for the subsequent Test matches in Auckland and Wellington, partnering his Maties fly–half Sas de Kock in the latter.

By 1924, Michau had returned to Cradock and captained Eastern Province to a win over the touring British Lions.