[2][3] Markötter popularized the 3–4–1 scrumming formation which is now standard in rugby union, and thus created the position of eighthman as a loose forward.
[3] Young Markötter showed great promise as a student, succeeding with honours in schools at Haarlem and Uniondale, and under a Mr Stucki at Blouvlei.
His teammates and friends included 1903 Springbok Japie Krige, with whom he would later open a lawyer's firm in Stellenbosch.
[2][3] After gaining his BA in 1898 he wrote in a letter, "I definitely decided to dedicate the rest of my life to rugby football".
[2][3] He was appointed captain of the Western Province Country XV which beat Mark Morrison's visiting British and Irish Lions team 13–7 at Newlands.
[2][6] A severe knee injury that he sustained in a 1904 cricket match ended his career as rugby player.