victory over England. Billy Geen and Fred Perrett, who were also killed in the First World War, were part of the team that narrowly lost to the South African tourists in December 1912. Amongst the Springboks, as well as Jacky Morkel, both Sep Ledger and Tommy Thompson were also killed in action. International appearances Military service In the First World War, Morkel served as a scout with the 1st South African Mounted Brigade, under the command of Brigadier-General Jacob van Deventer in German East Africa. When Jan Smuts took command of the British Forces in East Africa on 12 February 1916, Morkel's brigade was with the 1st Division at Longido, following the unsuccessful assault on the German position at Salaita Hill. The brigade was transferred to Mbuyuni, arriving 4 March, where the 2nd Division was positioned, to act under the direct orders of Smuts, in the forthcoming move to occupy the Kilimanjaro area, before the rains arrived. The objective was rapidly achieved by 21 March, the 1st Mounted Brigade having played a critical role. Smuts then reorganised his forces into three divisions: the First, under Major-General Hoskins; the Second, including the 1st South African Mounted Brigade at Aruscha, under van Deventer, recently promoted Major-General; and the Third, under Major-General Coen Brits. At the start of April, the forces under van Deventer began to advance southwards, the 1st Mounted Brigade taking Ufiome on 13 April, and pursuing the enemy until they reached Ssalanga on 17 April, where they paused to rest. By this time, the rainy season had set in, and van Deventer's division was cut off, and unable to progress beyond Kondoa Irangi. The troops lived off such local supplies as could be obtained, and their health severely deteriorated. The Germans, under direct command of Colonel von Lettow, the German Commander-in-Chief, took advantage of the situation to attack the 2nd Division at Kondoa Irangi, commencing on 7 May and continuing until 10 May, when they withdrew. Meanwhile, van Deventer was unable to counter due to the loss of horses from disease, and the sickness of his troops. Morkel himself contracted dysentery and died on 15 May 1916. He is buried in Dar es Salaam War Cemetery (Grave 5. K. 6.) in Tanzania, near his friend and team-mate Tommy Thompson, who was shot dead soon after. See also List of international rugby union players killed in action during the First World