Pelser started his rugby career by playing for Welkom Rugby Club, after which he played ten games for the Free State Rugby Union between 1952 and 1954. He caused great excitement along with his brother, Junior Springbok and Transvaal captain, Pa Pelser, when the two brothers (each measuring at 1.9 meters) faced each other in two epic rugby matches between Free State and Transvaal in 1952 and again in 1954.

Born on 14 November 1925, his overwhelmed father forgot to register the chosen full name of Sarel Christoffel Bekker Pelser, and mistakenly left out “Bekker”. Pelser was therefore known amongst his teammates as Sarel, while his family in fact called him Bekker.

Sarel Bekker Pelser will be remembered as a dedicated father and hard-working farmer. He established his farm Nooitverwacht in the Waterberg-region, where his family laid every brick themselves and transformed it into a successful cattle farm and, later on, thriving game farm.

On 28 June 2016, Pelser was 90 years and 217 days old. He passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family. He is survived by three sons, two daughters, nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. The funeral will take place on Saturday, 2 July 2016, 11:00 at the Gereformeerde Kerk Mogol.

- Statement issued