HH Castens was born in South Africa and came to England where he was educated at Rugby and Oxford, where he studied law, winning a Blue at rugby . He also played for Middlesex and South of England. In 1889-90 he played for Western Province, scoring 165 on Christmas Day against Eastern Province. In 1891 a British rugby side toured South Africa and Castens refereed the tour opener and on July 30 he captained South Africa in their first Test at Port Elizabeth which they lost. He also managed and coached Western Province while still playing for them.

In 1895 Castens was chosen to lead a South Africa cricket side on their first tour of England where they played counties but none in first-class games. Of 24 games played on tour, 12 were won, five lost and seven drawn.

Castens moved to Southern Rhodesia, where he worked as an advocate, and was later elected to the National Legislative, becoming secretary to the government for a number of years.
Martin Williamson