David Gill "Davey" Cope (14 August 1877 – 16 August 1898) was a South African international rugby union player. Born in

Kimberley Kimberly or Kimberley may refer to: Places and historical events Australia * Kimberley (Western Australia) ** Roman Catholic Diocese of Kimberley * Kimberley Warm Springs, Tasmania * Kimberley, Tasmania a small town * County of Kimberley, a ...

, he attended Diocesan College before playing provincial rugby for Transvaal (now known as the

Golden Lions The Golden Lions (currently known as the Sigma Golden Lions for sponsorship reasons) is a South African professional rugby union team based in Johannesburg who compete in the annual Currie Cup and Rugby Challenge. The team is governed by the ...

). He made his only Test appearance for South Africa during Great Britain's 1896 tour. He played as a

fullback Fullback or Full back may refer to: Sports * A position in various kinds of football, including: ** Full-back (association football), in association football (soccer), a defender playing in a wide position ** Fullback (gridiron football), in Americ ...

in the 2nd Test of the series, an 8–17 South Africa loss at the Wanderers Ground. During the match he became the first South African to kick a goal in a Test after converting

Theo Samuels Theodore Stratford 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 m ...

's try. In addition to his rugby career, Cope was also a good enough cricketer to make first-class appearances for the Transvaal cricket team. Cope died in 1898 at the age of 21, after he was involved in a train crash at Mostert's Hoek on his way to a Currie Cup match.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cope, Davey 1877 births 1898 deaths Alumni of Diocesan College, Cape Town Gauteng cricketers Railway accident deaths in South Africa Rugby union fullbacks Rugby union players from Kimberley, Northern Cape South Africa international rugby union players South African cricketers South African rugby union players Golden Lions players