Gainsford grew up in Lansdowne, Cape Town. He was the eldest of four children. His mother, Enid Francis Gainsford, was Australian. She was a former Sydney swimming champion who came out to South Africa with her mother, when her mother was sent to South Africa to help train women factory workers for the Second World War effort. It was during this time that she met his South African father, John Cecil Gainsford, and made South Africa her permanent home.[5]
Gainsford attended Lansdowne High School (now Windsor High School) from 1951-1955. He displayed remarkable versatility and unwavering dedication as a young sportsman throughout his school career, earning full colours for both rugby and athletics. His athletic prowess extended to cricket, where he represented the school's First XI. Additionally, he excelled in track and field events, particularly as a sprinter and shot putter. Gainsford's leadership skills were evident as he captained the school's rugby first team in his final year. During school holidays, he played for Villager’s under-19 team. Furthermore, he distinguished himself academically as the head boy of his school, showcasing his commitment not only to sports but also to his education.[5]
He did have a break from Province when he was working for an insurance company and was sent to Beaufort West to open a branch there. In 1962 and 1963 he played for South Western Districts along with Dave Stewart who was in Carnarvon.
Gainsford was a Province man through and through. He played for them 46 times, which was a vast number in those days, and he played from 1958 to 1967 without being dropped. He was the Province captain in 1966 when they won the Currie Cup.
He wore a Springbok jersey more often than a Province jersey - 71 times in a career that included 33 Tests. When he was dropped against France in 1967, Syd Nomis took his place. When Gainsford heard the news on the radio, he immediately sent Nomis a telegram: "Say I'm sad, man, say I'm glad, man. Have a great game.”[6]
Nice Guys Come Second is the title of his autobiography- and that says it all about both the man and the player. Winners take all, was his approach to rugby, and Doc Craven said about him, “John was one who never apologised for his belief that rugby was played to be won.” [7]
He would attack with great determination and, with his physical power and blistering speed for a big man of over six feet tall, his opponents found it a daunting task to contain him. Quick off the mark, Gainsford could burst past the inside of his opponent or fly past him on the outside break, leaving him hopelessly stranded.[7]
Teammate H.O. de Villiers said of him, “John’s speed, brawn and exceptional elusiveness for a man his size were major assets, but I think the real strength of the man was his almost arrogant confidence and his incredibly powerful competitive drive. He believed there was nobody better than him and simply made it his business to transform that belief into reality.”[7]
International rugby career
Before making his international debut, Gainsford was chosen for the Junior Springbok tour to the Argentine in 1959. He scored 6 tries on the Junior Springbok tour, and in the following year, he made his Springbok debut against Scotland in Port Elizabeth.[7] From April 1960 to July 1967, South Africa played a total of 34 International matches. Gainsford participated in 33 of these tests, missing only one through injury. This was against Ireland at Newlands in 1961.[5] He scored two tries during the 1962 British Lions tour that contributed to South Africa's 3-0 series victory. He scored a total of 24 points for the national team.[3] Gainsford played his last test in 1967, in Johannesburg against the visiting French team. He scored eight test tries and held the record of 33 Tests during his retirement.
Coaching
After retiring from the game, Gainsford became a member of the Western Province Rugby Union executive.[8] In 1968, he became a Western Province under-20 selector, and started coaching Villager's under-20 teams. In 1969, he became the coach for the Western Province's under-20 team. Some of the Western Province Currie Cup squad players that he coached included Springboks Morne du Plessis, Dawie Snyman, Peter Whipp, Johan Oosthuizen, Robert Cockrell, Dugald Macdonald, Wilhelm Landman, Kobus Immelmann, and Doug Claxton. In 1971, he was made a senior Western Province selector.[5]
Logans
In 1963, Gainsford went into business with friend and teammate, Dave Stewart and Jan Pickard. They bought the established sports shop, Logans (now known as "Sportsman's Warehouse")[9] from Jack Logan. Gainsford, Stewart, and Pickard all became directors.[5]
Villager Football Club
In 1969, Gainsford and Dave Stewart founded Villager School Sevens. Their aim was to give schoolboys, playing their last game in their school jerseys, a stimulating outing that encourages those who are not going to university, to join rugby clubs and continue in the true spirit of rugby. The tournament still runs every year in September.[10] Gainsford served as President of Villager FC from 2006-2010.[11]
Wine industry
Jan Pickard persuaded Gainsford to become a part of his wine business, Union Wine, in Wellington. Gainsford became an integral part of the business, especially the export division, remaining with the company when it became DGB.[12] He worked for Graham Beck and then DGB as their international director focusing on sales and promotions. For more than 30 years, even during the times when sanctions seriously impaired wine exports, he won over the palates of wine lovers in Germany, Switzerland, the UK and Mauritius.[13]
Even after retirement, Gainsford still did consultation work in the wine industry.[12]
Personal life
He married Shona Gainsford in 1964, and together they raised their four children in Paarl.[5]
Gainsford died in Paarl, at age 77 in November 2015 following a long battle with cancer.[14][15][16] He is survived by his wife Shona, children Murray, Lindsay, Kirk, and Shona-Leigh, and 11 grandchildren.[17]
Philanthropy
Behind this larger than life rugby player, and successful businessman was a true gentle giant. Many remember him for being a kind, caring man whose soft side touched many.
Gainsford's wife, Shona, said that he never turned down an opportunity to help out at schools in Paarl as coach and mentor to players, or to appear as guest speaker. He became "Uncle John" to so many boys and girls across the valley.
He also reached out to the many downtrodden people in the valley. Gainsford spent many years raising funds for Hospice. He also established a fund for ex-rugby players who had fallen on hard times, even delivering groceries to their homes.
For more than five years he had been helping homeless people living on the embankments of the Berg River, finding them jobs, helping them with IDs and other Home Affairs documents, and more.
Each Sunday he would provide meals for these homeless people, at the same time providing spiritual guidance and preparing them to make a positive impact on their own lives.
Gainsford's wife Shona said he did indeed make a positive impact on many of their lives.
She said: "There is the story of Jannie who, through this 'ministry' gave up alcohol abuse, found faith and employment, and was then able to uplift himself by moving away from the river banks and buying a wendy house to live in. He is now integrated into society. John was excited about this work which has brought about change."
"John was always a person who tackled everything he did with every fibre of his being. But above all, he was a committed Christian, a family man."[12]
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