Theo Samuels

Theo Samuels

Full name	Theodore Alexander Samuels
Date of birth	(1873-07-21)21 July 1873
Place of birth	George, South Africa
Date of death	16 November 1896(1896-11-16) (aged 23)
Place of death	Johannesburg, South Africa
School	Diocesan College
Rugby union career
Playing career
Position	Fullback
Provincial/State sides
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
	Griqualand West
correct as of 19 July 2010.
National team(s)
Years	Club / team	Caps	(points)
1896	South Africa	3	(6)
correct as of 19 July 2010.

Theodore Alexander "Theo" Samuels (21 July 1873 – 16 November 1896) was a South African international rugby union player. Born in George, he attended Diocesan College before playing provincial rugby for Griqualand West (now known as the Griquas). He made all three of his Test appearances for South Africa during Great Britain's 1896 tour, making his debut in the 2nd Test of the series. Playing on the wing, Samuels became the first player to score for South Africa in an international, scoring two tries in a 17–8 loss at the Wanderers. Samuels switched to fullback for the remaining two Tests of the series, a loss at Kimberley was followed by a victory at Newlands, South Africa's first as a Test nation.^[1] Samuels died just over two months later, in Johannesburg, at the age of 23.^[2]

References