Although born in Notting Hill, London, Guthrie was educated at Diocesan College in Cape Town, where he also played provincial rugby for Western Province. He made his first appearance for South Africa in the 1st Test of Great Britain's 1891 tour, South Africa's first as a Test nation. He was not selected to play in the 2nd Test, but returned to the side for the 3rd match at Newlands Stadium, where Great Britain won to seal a 3–0 series victory. His final match for South Africa was the 1st Test of Great Britain's 1896 tour, an 8–0 South Africa loss. Guthrie died in 1954, in Pietermaritzburg, at the age of 84.