Proteas (rugby union)

The Proteas was the representative side of the South African Rugby Football Federation, one of three racially segregated rugby union governing bodies in apartheid South Africa.

In December 1971 the Proteas embarked on a six-match tour of Britain - the first "Coloured" rugby team to tour abroad. Arriving on the 13th, they were met at the airport by protesters from anti-apartheid movements.[1] The Proteas lost their first match 3-14 to Hertfordshire at Croxley Green on 16 December, after the home side had led 10-3 at half-time. A fight broke out during the game, which the press blamed on the Proteas' tactic of tackling at head height.[2][3] The tour ended with a 33-3 loss to the United Hospitals on 2 January 1972 in London. Charles Loriston, the Proteas' team manager, explained that the purpose of the tour was " 'to test our strength' ". He said that the two wins, a draw, and three losses proved that " 'we have the technical know-how and enthusiasm to build strong opposition within the next five years' ". The wins came against county side Oxfordshire (33-5) and a London team (19-12). Loriston said that the next steps would be to play against white teams that tour South Africa, such as England's intended visit the next year; to play white South African teams; and then move towards integration of sports. He concluded that the Proteas had found, despite their initial scepticism, that they were treated " 'differently than...at home' ".[4]

On Tuesday 4 June 1974 the Proteas played against the touring Lions side at Goodwood Showground in Cape Town. Fly-half Errol Tobias scored the only points (a penalty and a drop-kick) for the Proteas, who were beaten 6-37 by the visitors. The team included Hennie Shields, John Noble, Turkey Shields, and Doug Dyers. For the Lions, centre Dick Milliken, wing JJ Williams, lock Gordon Brown, flank and captain Fergus Slattery scored a try each. Fullback Andy Irvine (a conversion, three penalty kicks) and fly-half Alan Old (two penalties) also contributed.[5]

During the 1976 All Black tour of South Africa, the Proteas were defeated 3-25 by the tourists on a wet 7 July at Goodwood Oval in Cape Town before a crowd of 10,000. The full-strength All Black team included players such as Laurie Mains, Bill Osborne, Sid Going, Andy Leslie, Frank Oliver and Lawrie Knight. Among the Proteas were John Noble and Charles Williams (who had played in the South African Barbarians side to tour Britain in 1979).[6] Noble and Turkey Shields had been in the SA Invitational XV that beat France in 1975.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Proteas Arrive Amid Protest". The Straits Times. 1971-12-13. p. 27.
  2. ↑ Morgan, Brad (2003-07-03). "Errol Tobias: a Black Bok in a White Team.". SA Info (safrica.info). Archived from the original on 2011-12-18. Retrieved 2011-12-18.
  3. ↑ "Proteas' Tackling Causes Fight". The Straits Times. 1971-12-17. Retrieved 2011-12-27.
  4. ↑ "Proteas Crash to 33-3 Defeat, But They Are Not Downhearted". The Straits Times. 1972-01-03. p. 23. Retrieved 2011-12-27.
  5. ↑ "SAR Federation XV 6 v 37 British & Irish Lions". Retrieved 2011-12-26.
  6. ↑ "7 July 76 - Proteas 3 / All Blacks 25". The McLook Rugby Collection. Retrieved 2011-12-20.
  7. ↑ Griffiths, John. "The first official multi-race team in SA, MPs with international honours and Varsity Blues.". espnscrum.com. Retrieved 2011-12-20.