The Tayfields were a cricketing family and cricket was in his blood, Hugh's uncle S. H. Martin played for Worcestershire and his brothers Arthur and Cyril both played for Transvaal as did two cousins. Tayfield made his debut for Natal as a 17-year old in 1945–46. He took a hat-trick against Transvaal aged just 18 and, when Athol Rowan was injured, he was hurried into the test team against Australia in 1949–50. He played in all five Tests and, on a sticky wicket at Durban, took seven for 23 when Australia crashed from 31 for no wicket to 75 all out. South Africa erred by not enforcing the follow on and Neil Harvey won the match for Australia).