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.

Louis Neumann

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Louis Neumann    1941 – 2003

Louis Neumann was signed by Leeds rugby league from the Thistles rugby club,Western Cape in 1960

He gained a wealth of rugby league experience with leeds ,playing as a lock or second row

Louis made an immediate impact as a clever  ball playing forward and was with  Leeds for 6 seasons

He was highly  recommended to the Eastern Suburbs Roosters (Sydney) who signed him for the 1967 season

During his time at the Roosters ,he became known as a punishing defender and constructive ball player who was always in the thick of the heavy work.

His badge of  office were two cauliflower ears and  assorted facial scars  where he had been stitched together.

After the departure of the great Roosters coach , Jack Gibson, Louis was made captain coach for the 1969 season and remains the only South African to have been captain and coach in first grade league in Australia

He left the Roosters at the end of the 1971 season after 5 seasons

After a  distinguished career with Leeds and    Eastern Suburbs  , Louis  moved to Orange in the NSW  country competition where he captain/coached Orange Ex-services to two grand finals in the early 70s.

Louis Neumann was  one of the toughest South African  players to play the game in one of the toughest eras

Leeds rugby league   123 matches
Eastern suburbs         81 matches – 22 as captain/coach