Tommy Gentles

Thomas Alexander Gentles (31 May 1934 – 29 June 2011) was a South African rugby union player.

Playing career Gentles was educated at Diocesan College (Bishops) and the University of Cape Town, where he gained a B.A. degree. He played provincial rugby for from 1955 to 1958.

Gentles made his test match debut for against Robin Thompson's British Lions side in 1955 at Ellis Park on 6 August 1955, in front of over 90,000 fans. He toured with the Springboks to Australia and New Zealand in 1956. Gentles and Popeye Strydom competed for the scrumhalf position and consequently played in two of the six Tests, during the tour. He also played in 12 tour matches and scored three tries.

Test history No. Opponents Results(SA 1st) Position Tries Dates Venue 1. 25–9 Scrumhalf 6 Aug 1955 Ellis Park, Johannesburg 2. British Lions 6–9 Scrumhalf 20 Aug 1955 Newlands, Cape Town 3. British Lions 22–8 Scrumhalf 24 Sep 1955 Crusaders Ground, Port Elizabeth 4. 8–3 Scrumhalf 4 Aug 1956 Athletic Park, Wellington 5. 10–17 Scrumhalf 18 Aug 1956 Lancaster Park, Christchurch 6. 5–9 Scrumhalf 16 Aug 1958 Ellis Park, Johannesburg