Planet Rugby writer James While recently spoke with former South African cricketer Dave Callaghan about his experiences playing rugby at the club and provincial levels alongside the legendary Springboks centre, Danie Gerber.
In the mid-1980s, during the isolation period, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Province, produced talented players who remained largely unseen by the rugby world. Dave Callaghan emerged as one such talent, excelling in both rugby and cricket at the provincial level and representing South Africa in both sports.
Callaghan earned 29 One Day International caps for the Proteas, accumulating 493 runs and taking 10 wickets. His List A career featured 5,304 runs and 147 wickets across 216 matches. In first-class cricket, he achieved 7,730 runs with an average of 36.12 and took 126 wickets. His rugby ability, honed in Eastern Province, was considered by peers to be of international quality.
During his national service, he served as a sports coach, nurturing Black rugby and cricket players in the townships while Danie Gerber worked for the Department of Sport nearby. Their shared passion and background cemented a lifelong friendship.
Callaghan recalled how he ended up playing centre alongside Gerber at Despatch Club. “I was one of the few English players who joined Despatch. As I neared the end of my national service, Danie asked me where I planned to play next season. I mentioned the English club, Crusaders, and he jokingly warned me against it, saying, ‘If you play there, I’ll sort you out.’ I quickly decided to play for Despatch instead, which turned out to be one of the best choices I ever made.”
At Despatch, Callaghan trained alongside Gerber and noted that he was in a league of his own. “Danie trained harder than anyone else,” he stated, highlighting Gerber’s commitment and unique training methods, including intense wind sprints and sit-ups. Callaghan recognized that to excel, one must be willing to put in that extra effort.
Although Gerber played only 24 Tests over 12 years, his talent was unrivaled. Callaghan believes Gerber would have excelled in any era, emphasizing the importance of his vision and balance on the field. Ultimately, he claims Gerber is among the best players in rugby history, deserving recognition and a platform that sadly eluded him due to political circumstances.
