Hall Of Fame

SARL

SARL would like to pay tribute to the Heroes and Legends who contributed to the establishment and success of Rugby League in South Africa We honor each one of them for the lasting legacy and example that they have set for the Rugby generations to come.

Goolam Abed

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Goolam Abed

1935 –

Abed was a pioneering sportsman in the 1950s, playing cricket for Western Province and rugby for the Greenpoint-based Western Province Rugby Football Union.

Following in the footsteps of other great sportsmen such as Eland and Tuli, forced to seek opportunities denied to them in their own country, Abed left South Africa in 1961 to play rugby league in England, after being spotted by English rugby league talent scout, Jim Windsor.

He received significant success in rugby league for Bradford Northern and  later Batley as a centre or wing

He also  played cricket in the Lancashire League whilst  in England.

Abed is widely regarded today as of the calibre that would have under normal circumstances entitled him to official national colours in both cricket and rugby.

Abed received a Springbok blazer in 2003 as part of the SARugby Football Union’s efforts to recognise previously neglected rugby greats.

Goolam Abed was awarded the Order of  Ikhamanga in bronze for outstanding achievement  in the field of rugby and cricket and contribution to non- racial sport

He currently lives in Cape Town