Paul Bayvel

Paul Campbell Robertson Bayvel (28 March 1949 – 14 April 2020) was a South African rugby union player who played for the national team as a scrum-half.

Playing career Bayvel made his provincial debut for Transvaal in 1972 and in the same year toured with the Gazelles, a South African under 24 team, to Argentina. During the tour, the Gazelles played two matches against the Argentine national team, which are considered test matches for Argentina. Bayvel played in the first of these matches which was won 14–6 by the Gazelles.

He made his test debut for the Springboks on 22 June 1974 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria in the second test against the touring British Lions team, in partnership with his provincial flyhalf, Gerald Bosch. Bayvel was injured before the third test but returned to the side for the drawn fourth and final test at his home ground, Ellis Park in Johannesburg. During November 1974, Bayvel toured with the Springboks to France and played in both tests as well as in three tour matches.

In 1975 France toured South Africa, playing eleven matches that include two test matches. Bayvel played in both tests against France and during the 1976 New Zealand tour of South Africa, he played in all four test against the All Blacks.

Test history No. Opposition Result (SA 1st) Position Tries Date Venue 1. 9–28 Scrum-half 0 22 June 1974 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 2. British Lions 13–13 Scrum-half 0 27 July 1974 Ellis Park, Johannesburg 3. 13–4 Scrum-half 0 23 November 1974 Le stade de Toulouse, Toulouse 4. France 10–8 Scrum-half 0 30 November 1974 Parc des Princes, Paris 5. France 38–25 Scrum-half 0 21 June 1975 Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein 6. France 33–18 Scrum-half 0 28 June 1975 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 7. 16–7 Scrum-half 0 24 July 1976 Kings Park Stadium, Durban 8. New Zealand 9–15 Scrum-half 0 14 August 1976 Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein 9. New Zealand 15–10 Scrum-half 0 4 September 1976 Newlands Stadium, Cape Town 10. New Zealand 15–14 Scrum-half 0 18 September 1976 Ellis Park, Johannesburg

Accolades In 1972, Bayvel was one of the five Young Players of the Year, along with Gerald Bosch, Pikkie du Toit, Dugald MacDonald and Jackie Snyman.