David Barends’s biography, net worth, fact, career, awards and life story

David Barends is a South African professional rugby league footballer of the 1970s and ’80s, playing at representative level for Great Britain, and Other Nationalities, and at club level for Wakefield Trinity (Heritage #770), Bradford Northern, and York, as a Wing, i.e. number 2 or 5.

Playing career

International honours

Barends won two caps for Great Britain while at Bradford Northern in 1979, both against Australia, and is the only South African-born player to have represented Great Britain. He also represented the Other Nationalities team while at Bradford Northern and York.

Premiership final appearances

Dave Barends played in Bradford Northern’s 17-8 victory over Widnes in the Premiership final during the 1977–78 season at Station Road, Swinton on Saturday 20 May 1978.

County Cup final appearances

Dave Barends played Right-Wing, i.e. number 2, in Bradford Northern’s 18-8 victory over York in the 1978 Yorkshire Cup final during the 1978–79 season at Headingley Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 28 October 1978, played Right-Wing, in the 5-10 defeat by Castleford in the 1981 Yorkshire Cup final during the 1981–82 season at Headingley Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 3 October 1981, and played Right-Wing, in the 7-18 defeat by Hull in the 1982 Yorkshire Cup final during the 1981–82 season at Elland Road, Leeds on Saturday 2 October 1982.

John Player Trophy final appearances

Dave Barends played Right-Wing, i.e. number 2, in Bradford Northern’s 6-0 victory over Widnes in the 1979–80 John Player Trophy final during the 1979–80 season at Headingley Stadium, Leeds on Saturday 5 January 1980.

Club career

Dave Barends was recommended to Wakefield Trinity by the former Wakefield Trinity player from South Africa, Ivor Dorrington, and joined in 1970 for a signing-on fee of £1,000 (based on increases in average earnings, this would be approximately £22,910 in 2013), he scored 2-tries on his début against Blackpool Borough at Belle Vue, Wakefield.