False Bay Rugby Football Club

Gareth joined False Bay RFC in the late ‘90s as a member of the successful Jocks outfit. A community man, he always believed that one supports the club within one’s community and as a resident of Constantia, there was ultimately only one logical choice. The fact that the ethos and camaraderie of the Bay appealed to this modest, warm and caring man, was a bonus.

Doc was a formidable player when donning his boots as a serious exponent of this beautiful game. He attended Wynberg Boys High School, went on to study medicine at the University of Cape Town and then completed his national service in the Medical Corps.

Gareth was Club Captain and a driving force at UCT RFC when studying. His commitment, vision and dedication is still acknowledged to this day. After graduating, Doc went on to the SADF, where he was a pillar of one of the strongest scrums WP Club Rugby has ever seen. With his dear friend, Brent Jordaan at tighthead and hooker William Cockerill in the middle, they formed a formidable front row in an awesome pack.

Gareth represented Western Province at prop in approximately 20 Currie Cup appearances before moving to Natal to complete a half century of First Class appearances. He also played rugby in France, where he took some time out to marry Jill (who he had met in Natal) in Canada.

Upon their return to SA, Jill and Gareth lived in Kleinzee for many years where he was a GP for Anglo American, and he honed his all round medical skills, which so many young Bay members have experienced in recent times.

As an administrator, Gareth has been unequaled at the Club. A man of vision, drive, intellect and passion, he took over the reins from Mike Punt and built on the formidable foundations which the big man had laid.

Despite his protestations, the recent success of False Bay RFC is as much to do with the man steering the ship as with the crew.

We thank Louis de Waal for exercising his executive right in awarding Dr Gareth O. Jones Honorary Life Membership at False Bay, unquestionably well-deserved.