Oupa Alvi van der Merwe was the first to score against All Blacks

As South Africa prepares for the Springboks' opening Test against the All Blacks on 22 August, the history of the rivalry is being highlighted through the legacy of Albertus Viljoen “Oupa Alvi” van der Merwe. The former player was the first individual to score a try against the touring New Zealand side on African soil.

This achievement occurred in 1928 during the opening tour match at Newlands. At the time, the 19-year-old van der Merwe was representing Western Province Country. Although the All Blacks won the match 11-3, the teenager's try marked a significant moment in the early years of the international fixture. Van der Merwe later earned his place in the national side as Springbok number 221.

His sporting history is closely linked to the Alvi’s Drift wine estate in the Breede River Valley. The winery is a third-generation, family-owned business currently led by his grandson, winemaker Alvi van der Merwe. The estate takes its name from a low-water bridge that Oupa Alvi constructed across the Breede River in 1930.

The family has established a premium wine range called 221, which is named after the Springbok cap number held by the patriarch. This collection includes Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Special Cuvée Red, and Pinotage. The range is intended to celebrate the family's heritage and the connection between people.

Alvi van der Merwe notes that the 221 range is about more than just rugby or a single person's success. He describes the wines as a way to pass on family stories and memories. The winery continues to produce various labels, including the flagship Black Eagle Verreaux Pinotage.