A late replacement at full back for Terry Davies, the uncapped Swansea player saved two tries with trademark shoulder charges that felled the South African captain Avril Malan and then the wing Michael Antelme.
The Sunday Times described his clash with Malan as being “like a comet burying itself into earth”. The Times version of events for the Antelme tackle stated “he felled him like an ox”.
That eye catching performance in the 6-0 win over the Boks at the Arms Park on 4 February, 1961, was enough to finally earn him a Welsh cap against France at Stade Colombes a month later. He was one of three new caps in the side that headed to the French capital on 25 March, joining flanker Alun Pask and hooker Billy Thomas, where he lined up at centre alongside Meirion Roberts against the great Guy Boniface.
Wales went down to a 8-6 defeat and his brief flirtation with the international stage was over. Born in Swansea, Mainwaring learned his rugby at Bishop Gore School and played for the Wales Under 15 team in 1947 and 1948 and for the Wales Secondary Schools against France and England in 1951 and Yorkshire and England in 1952. He joined the Navy and became a Royal Marine.
He was a regular in the Royal Navy side in the Inter-Services tournament and in 1955 played in front of the Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles at Twickenham against the Army. He played in the back row, at full back and in the centre. He attracted the attention of the Welsh selectors, but was generally a victim of his own success for being “a dependable jack of all trades positionally”.
As well as playing for the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Combined Services, he also played for the Harlequins, helping them to draw 9-9 with Romania at Twickenham in 1955, London Welsh, Hampshire, Swansea, Newport and the Barbarians. He made his Swansea debut at the age of 18 against London Welsh.
He was the only uncapped player in the 25 players that toured South Africa with the Baa-Baas in 1958 and played 10 times for the famous invitation side. After hanging up his boots he became a member of the Barbarians’ committee from 1989-2008 and in 2012 was appointed a vice-president.
He also served on the Newport committee and captained Newport United side for two seasons. He also served as a committee man at Rodney Parade.
The Welsh Rugby Union offers its sincerest condolences to Haydn’s wife, Eryl, and his family and many friends.
Haydn Mainwaring (Cap No 664) Born in Swansea on 10 June, 1933; died on 12 September, 2018
