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Rupert de Smidt (23 November 1883 – 3 August 1986) was a South African cricketer who played first-class cricket for Western Province. He is the fifth oldest of the 23 first-class cricketers known to have surpassed 100 years of age.

Born in Cape Town, de Smidt played four matches for Western Province during the 1912/13 season. A leg break bowler he took 16 wickets at an average of 18.00, finishing his only first-class season as Western Province's leading wicket-taker. His best bowling figures of 4/40 came on his debut against Transvaal after he had taken 4/65 in the first innings.

De Smidt was a lower order batsman, batting at number eight in four of his five innings. He scored 74 runs at an average of 18.50, with a highest score of 42 not out against Orange Free State.

De Smidt died aged 102 years 253 days in Cape Town. His Wisden obituary stated he "was believed to be the oldest first-class cricketer". The record passed to Jim Hutchinson in August 1999.

See also

• Lists of oldest cricketers

References

1. The first Australian cricketer to achieve century, Cricinfo, Retrieved on 24 January 2009
2. First-Class Matches played by Rupert de Smidt, CricketArchive, Retrieved on 24 January 2009
3. His Wisden obituary records him as a fast bowler, however CricketArchive and Cricinfo both have him as a leg break bowler
4. Currie Cup 1912/13 - Bowling for Western Province, CricketArchive, Retrieved on 24 January 2009
5. Western Province v Transvaal, Currie Cup 1912/13, CricketArchive, Retrieved on 24 January 2009
6. Western Province v Orange Free State, Currie Cup 1912/13, CricketArchive, Retrieved on 24 January 2009
7. Obituaries, 1986, Wisden Cricketers' Almanack, Retrieved on 24 January 2009
8. Cricket Diary: Hutchinson extends age limit, Cricinfo, Retrieved on 24 January 2009

External links

• Cricinfo Profile
• CricketArchive Profile

• 1883 births
• 1986 deaths
• South African cricketers
• Western Province cricketers
• South African men centenarians
• Cricketers from Cape Town