John Gainsford

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For the English landowner and courtier, see John Gainsford (died 1543).

John Gainsford
Birth nameJohn Leslie Gainsford
Date of birth4 August 1938
Place of birthGermiston
Date of death18 November 2015
Place of deathPaarl
Height1.854 m (6 ft 1 in)
Weight100 kg (220 lb; 15 st 10 lb)
SchoolLansdowne High School
Rugby union career
Position(s) Centre
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1955-unknown Villager Football Club ()
1958-1967 Western Province 46 ()
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1959 1959 Junior Springboks tour of South America 7 (12)
1960-1967 South Africa 33 (24)
Coaching career
Years Team
1968-1971 Western Province

John Leslie Gainsford (August 4, 1938 – November 18, 2015) was a South African rugby union player (Springbok number 348).[1][2] He was born in Germiston.[3] Gainsford played in 71 matches for South Africa (the Springboks), including tour games, and was known for being the most-capped Springbok centre until his record was overtaken by Japie Mulder in 2001.[4]

Early life[edit]

Gainsford grew up in Lansdowne, Cape Town. He was the eldest of four children. His mother, Enid Francis Gainsford, was Australian. She was a former Sydney swimming champion who came out to South Africa with her mother, when her mother was sent to South Africa to help train women factory workers for the Second World War effort. It was during this time that she met his South African father, John Cecil Gainsford, and made South Africa her permanent home.[5]

Gainsford attended Lansdowne High School (now Windsor High School) from 1951-1955. He displayed remarkable versatility and unwavering dedication as a young sportsman throughout his school career, earning full colours for both rugby and athletics. His athletic prowess extended to cricket, where he represented the school's First XI. Additionally, he excelled in track and field events, particularly as a sprinter and shot putter. Gainsford's leadership skills were evident as he captained the school's rugby first team in his final year. During school holidays, he played for Villager’s under-19 team. Furthermore, he distinguished himself academically as the head boy of his school, showcasing his commitment not only to sports but also to his education.[5]

Rugby career[edit]

Gainsford made his debut for Western Province at the age of 19.

Nice Guys Come Second is the title of his autobiography- and that says it all about both the man and the player. Winners take all, was his approach to rugby, and Doc Craven said about him, “John was one who never apologised for his belief that rugby was played to be won.” [6]

He would attack with great determination and, with his physical power and blistering speed for a big man of over six feet tall, his opponents found it a daunting task to contain him. Quick off the mark, Gainsford could burst past the inside of his opponent or fly past him on the outside break, leaving him hopelessly stranded.[6]

Teammate H.O. de Villiers said of him, “John’s speed, brawn and exceptional elusiveness for a man his size were major assets, but I think the real strength of the man was his almost arrogant confidence and his incredibly powerful competitive drive. He believed there was nobody better than him and simply made it his business to transform that belief into reality.”[6]

International rugby career[edit]

Before making his international debut, Gainsford was chosen for the Junior Springbok tour to the Argentine in 1959. He scored 6 tries on the Junior Springbok tour, and in the following year, he made his Springbok debut against Scotland in Port Elizabeth.[6] From April 1960 to July 1967, South Africa played a total of 34 International matches. Gainsford participated in 33 of these tests, missing only one through injury. This was against Ireland at Newlands in 1961.[5] He scored two tries during the 1962 British Lions tour that contributed to South Africa's 3-0 series victory. He scored a total of 24 points for the national team.[3] Gainsford played his last test in 1967, in Johannesburg against the visiting French team. He scored eight test tries and held the record of 33 Tests during his retirement.

Coaching[edit]

After retiring from the game, Gainsford became a member of the Western Province Rugby Union executive.[7] In 1968, he became a Western Province under-20 selector, and started coaching Villager's under-20 teams. In 1969, he became the coach for the Western Province's under-20 team. Some of the Western Province Currie Cup squad players that he coached included Springboks Morne du Plessis, Dawie Snyman, Peter Whipp, Johan Oosthuizen, Robert Cockrell, Dugald Macdonald, Wilhelm Landman, Kobus Immelmann, and Doug Claxton. In 1971, he was made a senior Western Province selector.[5]

Logans[edit]

In 1963, Gainsford went into business with friend and teammate, Dave Stewart and Jan Pickard. They bought the established sports shop, Logans (now known as "Sportsman's Warehouse")[8] from Jack Logan. Gainsford, Stewart, and Pickard all became directors.[5]

Villager Football Club[edit]

In 1969, Gainsford and Dave Stewart founded Villager School Sevens. Their aim was to give schoolboys, playing their last game in their school jerseys, a stimulating outing that encourages those who are not going to university, to join rugby clubs and continue in the true spirit of rugby. The tournament still runs every year in September.[9] Gainsford served as President of Villager FC from 2006-2010.[10]

Wine industry[edit]

Jan Pickard persuaded Gainsford to become a part of his wine business, Union Wine, in Wellington. Gainsford became an integral part of the business, especially the export division, remaining with the company when it became DGB.[11] He worked for Graham Beck and then DGB as their international director focusing on sales and promotions. For more than 30 years, even during the times when sanctions seriously impaired wine exports, he won over the palates of wine lovers in Germany, Switzerland, the UK and Mauritius.[12]

Even after retirement, Gainsford still did consultation work in the wine industry.[11]

Personal life[edit]

He married Shona Gainsford in 1964, and together they raised their four children in Paarl.[5]

Gainsford died in Paarl, at age 77 in November 2015 following a long battle with cancer.[13][14][15] He is survived by his wife Shona, children Murray, Lindsay, Kirk, and Shona-Leigh, and 11 grandchildren.[16]

Philanthropy[edit]

Behind this larger than life rugby player, and successful businessman was a true gentle giant. Many remember him for being a kind, caring man whose soft side touched many.

Gainsford's wife, Shona, said that he never turned down an opportunity to help out at schools in Paarl as coach and mentor to players, or to appear as guest speaker. He became "Uncle John" to so many boys and girls across the valley.

He also reached out to the many downtrodden people in the valley. Gainsford spent many years raising funds for Hospice. He also established a fund for ex-rugby players who had fallen on hard times, even delivering groceries to their homes.

For more than five years he had been helping homeless people living on the embankments of the Berg River, finding them jobs, helping them with IDs and other Home Affairs documents, and more.

Each Sunday he would provide meals for these homeless people, at the same time providing spiritual guidance and preparing them to make a positive impact on their own lives.

Gainsford's wife Shona said he did indeed make a positive impact on many of their lives.

She said: "There is the story of Jannie who, through this 'ministry' gave up alcohol abuse, found faith and employment, and was then able to uplift himself by moving away from the river banks and buying a wendy house to live in. He is now integrated into society. John was excited about this work which has brought about change."

"John was always a person who tackled everything he did with every fibre of his being. But above all, he was a committed Christian, a family man."[11]

Statistics[edit]

Test match record[17][edit]

No. Opponent Result Age Position Points Date Venue
1. Scotland Win: 18-10 21 Outside Centre 30 Apr 1960 Boet Erasmus, Port Elizabeth
2. New Zealand Win: 13-10 21 Outside Centre 25 Jun 1960 Ellis Park, Johannesburg
3. New Zealand Lose: 3-11 21 Outside Centre 23 Jul 1960 Newlands, Cape Town
4. New Zealand Draw: 11-11 22 Outside Centre 13 Aug 1960 Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
5. New Zealand Win: 8-3 22 Outside Centre 27 Aug 1960 Boet Erasmus, Port Elizabeth
6. Wales Win: 3-0 22 Outside Centre 03 Dec 1960 Millennium Stadium (Cardiff Arms Park), Cardiff
7. Ireland Win: 8-3 22 Outside Centre 3 (1 try) 17 Dec 1960 Aviva Stadium (Lansdowne Road), Dublin
8. England Win: 5-0 22 Outside Centre 07 Jan 1961 Twickenham, London
9. Scotland Win: 12-5 22 Outside Centre 21 Jan 1961 Murrayfield, Edinburgh
10. France Draw: 0-0 22 Outside Centre 18 Feb 1961 Stade Olympique, Colombes, Paris
11. Australia Win: 28-3 23 Outside Centre 3 (1 try) 5 Aug 1961 Ellis Park, Johannesburg
12. Australia Win: 23-11 23 Outside Centre 12 Aug 1961 Boet Erasmus, Port Elizabeth
13. Britain Draw: 3-3 23 Outside Centre 3 (1 try) 23 Jun 1962 Ellis Park, Johannesburg
14. Britain Win: 3-0 23 Outside Centre 21 Jul 1962 Kings Park, Durban
15. Britain Win: 8-3 24 Outside Centre 04 Aug 1962 Newlands, Cape Town
16. Britain Win: 34-14 24 Outside Centre 3 (1 try) 25 Aug 1962 Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
17. Australia Win: 14-3 24 Outside Centre 13 Jul 1963 Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
18. Australia Lose: 5-9 25 Outside Centre 10 Aug 1963 Newlands, Cape Town
19. Australia Lose: 9-11 25 Outside Centre 24 Aug 1963 Ellis Park, Johannesburg
20. Australia Win: 22-6 25 Outside Centre 3 (1 try) 07 Sep 1963 Boet Erasmus, Port Elizabeth
21. Wales Win: 24-3 25 Outside Centre 23 May 1964 Kings Park, Durban
22. France Lose: 6-8 25 Outside Centre 25 Jul 1964 P.A.M. Brink Stadium, Springs
23. Ireland Lose: 6-9 26 Outside Centre 10 Apr 1965 Aviva Stadium (Lansdowne Road), Dublin
24. Scotland Lose: 5-8 26 Outside Centre 17 Apr 1965 Murrayfield, Edinburgh
25. Australia Lose: 11-18 26 Outside Centre 19 Jun 1965 Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
26. Australia Lose: 8-12 26 Outside Centre 3 (1 try) 26 Jun 1965 Suncorp Stadium (Lang Park), Brisbane
27. New Zealand Lose: 3-6 26 Outside Centre 31 Jul 1965 Athletic Park, Wellington
28. New Zealand Lose: 0-13 27 Outside Centre 21 Aug 1965 Carisbrook, Dunedin
29. New Zealand Win: 19-16 27 Outside Centre 6 (2 tries) 04 Sep 1965 AMI Stadium (Lancaster Park), Christchurch
30. New Zealand Lose: 3-20 27 Outside Centre 18 Sep 1965 Eden Park, Auckland
31. France Win: 26-3 28 Outside Centre 15 Jul 1967 Kings Park, Durban
32. France Win: 16-3 28 Outside Centre 22 Jul 1967 Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein
33. France Lose: 14-19 28 Outside Centre 29 Jul 1967 Ellis Park, Johannesburg

References[edit]

  1. ^ "List of Springboks since 1891 | 15.co.za | | Rugby News, Live Scores, Results, Fixtures". Retrieved 3 November 2023.
  2. ^ Dobson, Paul (1995). 30 super Springboks. Cape Town: Human & Rousseau. ISBN 0-7981-3411-9.
  3. ^ a b "John Gainsford". ESPN. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  4. ^ "SA Rugby Player Profile – John Gainsford". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Gainsford, John (1974). Nice Guys Come Second. Cape Town: Don Nelson. pp. 26, 197. ISBN 0-909238-04-9.
  6. ^ a b c d Schoeman, Chris (2015). South Africa's Rugby Legends - The Amateur Years. Cape Town: Zebra Press. pp. 163–164. ISBN 978-1-77022-788-0.
  7. ^ "Former South Africa centre John Gainsford dies after battle with cancer". Sky Sports. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  8. ^ "Obituary: John Gainsford, centre with a killer sidestep". TimesLIVE. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  9. ^ "History". Villager FC. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  10. ^ "Villagers saddened by ex-Bok's death". Sport. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  11. ^ a b c "Paarl's gentle rugby giant dies". Netwerk24 (in Afrikaans). Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  12. ^ "Six Wine and Brandy giants get honoured". wine.co.za. 11 October 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  13. ^ "John Gainsford, South African rugby union player, Died at 77". Obituary. Archived from the original on 19 November 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  14. ^ 30 Super Springboks. Paul Dobson. 1995. ISBN 0-7981-3411-9
  15. ^ Durocher, Leo (2009). Nice guys finish last (in Spanish). Chicago: University of Chicago Press. ISBN 978-0-226-17388-7.
  16. ^ "Former Springbok great John Gainsford dies". Sport. Retrieved 19 November 2015.
  17. ^ "Springbok Rugby Tests". Retrieved 15 November 2022.


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