During the Second World War he joined the South African Army and was assigned to the Natal Mounted Rifles, where he saw service in the Western Desert Campaign.

He was highly thought of in Natal, but when trials for the 1937 Springboks tour of Australia and New Zealand were announced at Newlands Stadium, Bastard was not invited.

[3] Following an impressive performance at the trials, Bastard was called up to the South Africa national rugby team for the tour of Australia and New Zealand, becoming the first and only Kokstad player to play for the Springboks.

[6] Following a match in Brisbane, he was spoken to by a Queensland Police Force constable who followed him, and caught Bastard and three other Springboks climbing a neon sign, which was smashed as a result.

The New South Wales Police Force constable asked for their names; Bastard gave his and spelled it out for the policeman, with van de Vyver saying his surname straight afterward.

[10] Following Bastard's death, his wife and son, the future journalist and sausage merchant Bill O'Hagan, adopted her maiden name.