David Jacobus 'Divan' Serfontein (born 3 August 1954 in Krugersdorp, South Africa) is a former Springbok rugby union player.
Playing career Provincial career Serfontein started his rugby career in 1974 at where he was selected for the club's under-20 age group team. He was soon afterwards selected for the Western Province under-20 team and in his first match he played alongside the future South African cricketer, Peter Kirsten. In 1976 Serfontein made his provincial first team debut for Western Province against the touring All Blacks side of Andy Leslie. Western Province won this match 12–11.
At the start of the 1981 rugby season, Serfontein was appointed as Western Province captain. He went on to captain his province 51 times and also led his team to three consecutive Currie Cup titles, in 1982, 1983 and 1984.
International career Serfontein made his test debut for the Springboks on 31 May 1980 at his home ground, Newlands in Cape Town against the touring British and Irish Lions team, captained by Bill Beaumont. He also scored his first test try in this match. The test series against the Lions, was followed with tests against the South American Jaguars, France, Ireland, New Zealand ( the so-called Rebel Tour) and England.
Serfontein was selected as captain for the two test matches against the touring South American Jaguars in October 1984 and in doing so became the 39th Springbok test captain. Serfontein retired from rugby union at the end of the 1984 season, having played 100 matches for Western Province and 19 consecutive test matches for the Springboks. He also scored 3 test tries.
Test history
No. Opposition Result (SA 1st) Position Tries Date Venue1. 26–22 Scrumhalf1 31 May 1980 Newlands, Cape Town2. British Lions 26–19 Scrumhalf 14 June 1980 Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein3. British Lions 12–10 Scrumhalf 28 June 1980 Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth4. British Lions 13–17 Scrumhalf 12 July 1980 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria5. South American Jaguars 22–13 Scrumhalf 18 October 1980 Wanderers Club, Montevideo6. South American Jaguars 30–16 Scrumhalf 25 October 1980 Prince of Wales Country Club, Santiago 7. 37–15 Scrumhalf 1 8 November 1980 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria8. 23–15 Scrumhalf 30 May 1981 Newlands, Cape Town9. Ireland 12–10 Scrumhalf 6 June 1981 Kings Park Stadium, Durban10. 9–14 Scrumhalf 15 August 1981 Lancaster Park, Christchurch11. New Zealand 24–12 Scrumhalf 29 August 1981 Athletic Park, Wellington12. New Zealand 22–25 Scrumhalf 12 September 1981 Eden Park, Auckland 13. 38–7 Scrumhalf 20 September 1981 Owl Creek Polo ground, Glenville, New York14. South American Jaguars 50–18 Scrumhalf 27 March 1982 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 15. South American Jaguars 12–21 Scrumhalf 3 April 1982 Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein 16. 33–15 Scrumhalf 2 June 1984 Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth17. England 35–9 Scrumhalf 9 June 1984 Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg18. South American Jaguars 32–15 Scrumhalf (c) 1 20 October 1984 Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria19. South American Jaguars 22–13 Scrumhalf (c) 27 October 1984 Newlands, Cape Town
Accolades Serfontein was named the SA Rugby Player of the Year for 1982.
See also List of South Africa national rugby union players – Springbok no. 508
References