This former provincial player and Rugby administrator has commentated on the sport since 1976. A highly entertaining MC and after-dinner speaker.
Educated at King Edward VII School in Johannesburg, Hugh Bladen achieved great heights, being Head Prefect, Victor Ludorum, Captain 1st XV Rugby and Vice Captain 1st XI Cricket. He matriculated 1962.
Currently, Hugh Bladen is a non-Executive Director of Ellis Park (Pty) Ltd, is on the board of the Golden Lions’ Sports Trust & the Transvaal/Golden Lions Old Boys’ trust
SPORT
1963-72: 1st League Cricket for Old Edwardians Rugby
1963-64: Played for Transvaal Under 20 (Captain in ’64)
1965-71: Played for Transvaal
1965: Selected for Junior Springboks v Argentina
1969: Selected for Gazelles (SA U24) v Australia
1982-91: Transvaal Selector
1984-88: Chairman Wanderers Rugby Club
Current Committee member SA Barbarians
COMMENTATING
Started when TV began in 1976
From 1976-94 he commentated for SABC and then moved to M-Net. Since 1992, Hugh Bladen has toured with the Springboks to France, England, Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Italy and England.