1972 England rugby union tour of South Africa

1972 England tour in Australia
Type P W D L
Total: 7 6 1 0
Test match: 1 1 0 0
Opp. P W D L
 South Africa 1 1 0 0
Statistics against Test match opponents

This first tour undertaken by England to South Africa was organised with a demanding schedule, although with only one Test Match. Within two weeks and three days, seven matches were to be played, the first four at sea level, and the final three, including the Test Match, at the altitude in the highveld with only two days to acclimatise before a demanding fixture against Northern Transvaal. From the outset, under captain John Pullin and the management of Alec Lewis and John Elders, there was a buoyant and optimistic spirit in the squad, as if they were determined to erase the memories of the last few seasons of undistinguished English performances.

Matches

Scores and results list England's points tally first.
Opposing Team For Against Date Venue Status
Natal19017 May 1972DurbanTour match
Western Province9620 May 1972Cape TownTour match
SA Rugby Fed XV11622 May 1972Cape TownTour match
SA Leopards36324 May 1972Port ElizabethTour match
Northern Transvaal131327 May 1972PretoriaTour match
Giqualand West602130 May 1972KimberleyTour match
South Africa1893 June 1972Ellis Park, JohannesburgTest Match

Test Match

Piet Greyling led a combination of Springboks who seemed hopelessly unsure of themselves. Dawie Snyman collected all the South African points with three penalties while England, with unspectacular competence, grabbed every scoring chance. Fullback Sam Doble converted a try by wing Alan Morley and also booted four penalties.

South Africa: Ray Carlson, Sid Nomis, Tonie Roux, Joggie Jansen, Gert Muller, Dawie Snyman, Joggie Viljoen, Albie Bates, Jan Ellis, Piet Greyling (c), John Williams, Piet du Plessis, Sakkie Sauermann, Piston van Wyk and Nic Bezuidenhoudt

England: Doble, Morley, Janion, Preece, Knight, Old, Webster, Ripley, Watkins, Neary, Ralston, Larter, Burton, Pullin (c) and Stevens.[1]

Touring party

Full Backs

Three-Quarters

Half-Backs

Forwards

See also

References

  1. ↑ Griffiths, John (1982). The Book of English International Rugby 1871–1982. Willow Books. p. 358. ISBN 978-0-00-218006-1.