| Rupert de Smidt | |
| Country: | South Africa |
| Fullname: | Rupert de Smidt |
| Birth Date: | 23 November 1883 |
| Birth Place: | Cape Town, Cape Province, South Africa |
| Death Place: | Cape Town, Cape Province, South Africa |
| Batting: | Right-handed |
| Bowling: | Leg break |
| Club1: | Western Province |
| Year1: | 1912/13 |
| Columns: | 1 |
| Column1: | First-class |
| Matches1: | 4 |
| Runs1: | 74 |
| Bat Avg1: | 18.50 |
| 100S/50S1: | –/– |
| Top Score1: | 42 |
| Deliveries1: | 606 |
| Wickets1: | 16 |
| Bowl Avg1: | 18.00 |
| Fivefor1: | – |
| Tenfor1: | – |
| Best Bowling1: | 4/40 |
| Catches/Stumpings1: | 6/– |
| Date: | 19 February |
| Year: | 2024 |
| Source: | https://www.espncricinfo.com/cricketers/rupert-de-smidt-44780 Cricinfo |
Rupert de Smidt (23 November 1883 – 3 August 1986) was a South African cricketer who played first-class cricket for Western Province. He is the fifth oldest of the 23 first-class cricketers known to have surpassed 100 years of age.[1]
Born in Cape Town, de Smidt played four matches for Western Province during the 1912/13 season.[2] A leg break bowler[3] he took 16 wickets at an average of 18.00, finishing his only first-class season as Western Province's leading wicket-taker.[4] His best bowling figures of 4/40 came on his debut against Transvaal after he had taken 4/65 in the first innings.[5]
De Smidt was a lower order batsman, batting at number eight in four of his five innings. He scored 74 runs at an average of 18.50, with a highest score of 42 not out against Orange Free State.[6]
De Smidt died aged 102 years 253 days in Cape Town. His Wisden obituary stated he "was believed to be the oldest first-class cricketer".[7] The record passed to Jim Hutchinson in August 1999.[8]