1891 British Lions tour to South Africa
Encyclopedia
The 1891 British Isles tour to South Africa was the first British Isles
rugby union
tour of South Africa
and only the second overseas tour conducted by a joint British team. Between 9 July and 7 September, the team played 20 games, including three tests against the South Africa national rugby union team
. The British Isles not only won all three Test matches, but also won all 17 provincial games. Although not named as such at the time, the tour is retrospectively recognised as a British Lions tour.
was formed in 1889, the Board committee decided one of the best ways to promote the game was to invite a British side to visit, similar to the British Isles tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1888. In September 1890 the Rugby Football Union
(RFU) discussed the proposed tour; in attendance was Mr, J Richards of Cape Town, who, as an Old Leysian, had connections to the English game. The tour was agreed, with Cecil Rhodes agreeing to guarantee any financial losses the tour may incur.
The first overseas British tour of 1888, was not sanctioned by the RFU, and therefore is often not recognised as an official Lions tour, so the South African Tests were actually the first matches that allowed the British players to be awarded international caps.
Captained by Scottish international
Bill Maclagan, the British team consisted of players from English
and Scottish clubs with a heavy contingent of members from Cambridge University teams. Of the players roughly half were, or would win national caps, and the majority of those who did not were former Cambridge Blues. Although containing four Scots, the fact that the tour was organised by the RFU, the team was initially recognised as an English team, but retrospectively gained its British Isles tag. The touring party had been selected by a committee composed of G. Rowland-Hill, the president of the RFU, R.S. Whalley, Harry Vassall
, Arthur Budd and J.H.S. McArthur.
The British team took in twenty matches, three of them tests against the South African team. The tourists won all twenty matches conceding just a single try, which was scored against them in the very first game. Although the Test top scorer for the tourists was Arthur Rotherham
, mainly because a conversion at the time was worth twice as much as a try; the tour's outstanding scorer was Randolph Aston
. At six foot three, and weighing 15 stones, Aston played in all 20 matches and was the unstopable try scorer of the tour. Out of the 89 tries scored by the British team, Aston scored 30 including the first ever try against the South African team in the first test.
The tourists played in red and white hooped shirts and dark blue shorts
, Chubb Vigne
, Mosey van Buuren
, Alfred Richards, Frank Guthrie
, Oupa Versfeld
, Bill Bisset
, Herbert Hayton Castens
(capt.), Tiger Devenish
, Japie Louw
, Edward Little
, Fred Alexander
, GA Merry, Frank Hamilton
British Isles William Grant Mitchell
, Paul Robert Clauss
, Randolph Aston
, Bill Maclagan
(capt.), Arthur Rotherham
, William Wotherspoon
, William Bromet
, John Harding Gould, Johnny Hammond
, Froude Hancock
, Robert MacMillan
, Clement Pearson Simpson
, Aubone Surtees
, Robert Thompson
, Thomas Sherren Whittaker
----
, Chubb Vigne
, Arthur de Kock
, Alfred Richards, Jackie Powell
, Oupa Versfeld
, Bob Snedden
(capt.), Bob Shand
, Wilfred Trenery
, Japie Louw
, DW Smith, Fred Alexander
, Fairy Heatlie
, CW Smith
British Isles William Grant Mitchell
, Paul Robert Clauss
, Randolph Aston
, Bill Maclagan
(capt.), Howard Marshall
, Edward Bromet
, William Bromet
, John Harding Gould, Johnny Hammond
, Froude Hancock
, Robert MacMillan
, Edwin Mayfield
, Aubone Surtees
, Robert Thompson
, Thomas Sherren Whittaker
----
, Hasie Versfeld
, Alfred Richards (capt.), Frank Guthrie
, Oupa Versfeld
, Bill Bisset
, Bob Shand
, CG van Renen, Japie Louw
, Edward Little
, JA McKendrick, Fairy Heatlie
, TW Chignell
British Isles William Grant Mitchell
, Paul Robert Clauss
, Randolph Aston
, Bill Maclagan
(capt.), Howard Marshall
, Arthur Rotherham
, William Bromet
, Edward Bromet
, Johnny Hammond
, Froude Hancock
, Robert MacMillan
, Edwin Mayfield
, Aubone Surtees
, Robert Thompson
, Thomas Sherren Whittaker
----
British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
tour of South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and only the second overseas tour conducted by a joint British team. Between 9 July and 7 September, the team played 20 games, including three tests against the South Africa national rugby union team
South Africa national rugby union team
The South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental...
. The British Isles not only won all three Test matches, but also won all 17 provincial games. Although not named as such at the time, the tour is retrospectively recognised as a British Lions tour.
Tour details
After the South African Rugby BoardSouth African Rugby Board
The South African Rugby Board was the rugby union governing body of white South Africans between 1889 and 1992. The governing of white and coloured rugby union was handled separately during South Africa under Apartheid....
was formed in 1889, the Board committee decided one of the best ways to promote the game was to invite a British side to visit, similar to the British Isles tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1888. In September 1890 the Rugby Football Union
Rugby Football Union
The Rugby Football Union was founded in 1871 as the governing body for the sport of rugby union, and performed as the international governing body prior to the formation of the International Rugby Board in 1886...
(RFU) discussed the proposed tour; in attendance was Mr, J Richards of Cape Town, who, as an Old Leysian, had connections to the English game. The tour was agreed, with Cecil Rhodes agreeing to guarantee any financial losses the tour may incur.
The first overseas British tour of 1888, was not sanctioned by the RFU, and therefore is often not recognised as an official Lions tour, so the South African Tests were actually the first matches that allowed the British players to be awarded international caps.
Captained by Scottish international
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
Bill Maclagan, the British team consisted of players from English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Scottish clubs with a heavy contingent of members from Cambridge University teams. Of the players roughly half were, or would win national caps, and the majority of those who did not were former Cambridge Blues. Although containing four Scots, the fact that the tour was organised by the RFU, the team was initially recognised as an English team, but retrospectively gained its British Isles tag. The touring party had been selected by a committee composed of G. Rowland-Hill, the president of the RFU, R.S. Whalley, Harry Vassall
Harry Vassall
Henry Vassall was an English rugby union player, best known as a centre for Oxford University. Vassall played international rugby for England in the early years of the sport, winning five caps and scoring a hat-trick of tries in the first encounter between England and Wales.While at Oxford...
, Arthur Budd and J.H.S. McArthur.
The British team took in twenty matches, three of them tests against the South African team. The tourists won all twenty matches conceding just a single try, which was scored against them in the very first game. Although the Test top scorer for the tourists was Arthur Rotherham
Arthur Rotherham
Arthur Rotherham was an English rugby union scrum-half who was a member of the first official British Isles tour and was later capped for the England team.-Personal history:...
, mainly because a conversion at the time was worth twice as much as a try; the tour's outstanding scorer was Randolph Aston
Randolph Aston
Randolph Littleton Aston was an English rugby union centre who played club rugby for Blackheath and Cambridge University and was a member of the first official British Isles tour in 1891.-Personal history:...
. At six foot three, and weighing 15 stones, Aston played in all 20 matches and was the unstopable try scorer of the tour. Out of the 89 tries scored by the British team, Aston scored 30 including the first ever try against the South African team in the first test.
The tourists played in red and white hooped shirts and dark blue shorts
Full Backs
- William Grant MitchellWilliam Grant MitchellWilliam Grant "Willie" Mitchell was an English rugby union fullback who was a member of the first official British Isles team. Mitchell represented several club teams and was an original member of touring team, the Barbarians....
(Cambridge UniversityCambridge University R.U.F.C.The Cambridge University Rugby Union Football Club, or CURUFC, is the rugby union club of Cambridge University, and plays Oxford University in the annual Varsity Match at Twickenham stadium every December. CURUFC players wear light blue and white hooped jerseys with a red lion crest...
and RichmondRichmond F.C.Richmond Football Club is a rugby union club from Richmond, London. It is a founding member of the Rugby Football Union, and is one of the oldest football clubs...
) - Edward BrometEdward BrometEdward Bromet was an English rugby union forward who was a member of the first official British Isles team to tour abroad...
(Cambridge UniversityCambridge University R.U.F.C.The Cambridge University Rugby Union Football Club, or CURUFC, is the rugby union club of Cambridge University, and plays Oxford University in the annual Varsity Match at Twickenham stadium every December. CURUFC players wear light blue and white hooped jerseys with a red lion crest...
)
Three-Quarters
- Paul Robert ClaussPaul Robert ClaussPaul Robert Clauss was a German-born rugby union three-quarter who played club rugby for Oxford and Birkenhead Park. Clauss was a member of the first official British Isles tour in 1891 and also represented Scotland on six occasions...
(Oxford UniversityOxford University RFCThe Oxford University Rugby Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Oxford. The club contests The Varsity Match every year against Cambridge University at Twickenham.-History:...
and ) - Randolph AstonRandolph AstonRandolph Littleton Aston was an English rugby union centre who played club rugby for Blackheath and Cambridge University and was a member of the first official British Isles tour in 1891.-Personal history:...
(Cambridge UniversityCambridge University R.U.F.C.The Cambridge University Rugby Union Football Club, or CURUFC, is the rugby union club of Cambridge University, and plays Oxford University in the annual Varsity Match at Twickenham stadium every December. CURUFC players wear light blue and white hooped jerseys with a red lion crest...
) - Bill MaclaganBill MaclaganWilliam Edward "Bill" Maclagan was a Scottish international rugby union forward who played club rugby for London Scottish F.C....
(London Scottish and ) (captain)
Half backs
- Howard MarshallHoward Marshall (rugby player)Dr. Howard Marshall OBE was an English rugby union half-back who played club rugby for Blackheath and Richmond and was a member of the first official British Isles tour in 1891...
(RichmondRichmond F.C.Richmond Football Club is a rugby union club from Richmond, London. It is a founding member of the Rugby Football Union, and is one of the oldest football clubs...
) - B.G. Roscoe (Lancashire)
- Arthur RotherhamArthur RotherhamArthur Rotherham was an English rugby union scrum-half who was a member of the first official British Isles tour and was later capped for the England team.-Personal history:...
(Cambridge UniversityCambridge University R.U.F.C.The Cambridge University Rugby Union Football Club, or CURUFC, is the rugby union club of Cambridge University, and plays Oxford University in the annual Varsity Match at Twickenham stadium every December. CURUFC players wear light blue and white hooped jerseys with a red lion crest...
) - William WotherspoonWilliam Wotherspoon (rugby player)William Wotherspoon was a Scottish rugby union half-back who was a member of the first official British Isles tour and was also capped for the Scotland team...
(Cambridge UniversityCambridge University R.U.F.C.The Cambridge University Rugby Union Football Club, or CURUFC, is the rugby union club of Cambridge University, and plays Oxford University in the annual Varsity Match at Twickenham stadium every December. CURUFC players wear light blue and white hooped jerseys with a red lion crest...
and )
Forwards
- William BrometWilliam BrometWilliam Ernest Bromet was an English rugby union forward who played club rugby for Oxford and Tadcaster and county rugby for Yorkshire. Bromet and was a member of the first official British Isles tour in 1891 and represented England on twelve occasions between 1891 and 1896...
(Oxford UniversityOxford University RFCThe Oxford University Rugby Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Oxford. The club contests The Varsity Match every year against Cambridge University at Twickenham.-History:...
) - John Harding Gould (Old Leysians)
- Johnny HammondJohnny Hammond (rugby player)John "Johnny" Hammond was an English rugby union forward who, although not capped for England, was part of three British Lions tours, all to South Africa. He gained three caps during the 1891 tour to South Africa and captained the 1896 tour, winning another two test caps...
(Cambridge UniversityCambridge University R.U.F.C.The Cambridge University Rugby Union Football Club, or CURUFC, is the rugby union club of Cambridge University, and plays Oxford University in the annual Varsity Match at Twickenham stadium every December. CURUFC players wear light blue and white hooped jerseys with a red lion crest...
) - Froude HancockFroude HancockPhilip Froude Hancock universally known as Froude Hancock was an English rugby union forward who played international rugby for the British Isles XV on two tours, the 1891 and 1896 tour of South Africa.-Personal life:...
(Somerset) - Walter Jesse JacksonWalter Jesse JacksonWalter Jesse Jackson was an English rugby union forward who played international rugby for the British Isles and England.-Rugby career:Jackson first came to note as a rugby player while representing Gloucester...
(Gloucester) - Robert MacMillanRobert MacMillanRobert "Judy" Gordon MacMillan was a Scottish international rugby union forward who played club rugby for Edinburgh University...
(London ScottishLondon Scottish F.C.London Scottish Football Club is a rugby union club in England. It is a member of both the Rugby Football Union and the Scottish Rugby Union.-History:...
and ) - Edwin MayfieldEdwin MayfieldEdwin Mayfiled was an English rugby union forward who played club rugby for Cambridge University and was a member of the first official British Isles tour in 1891...
(Cambridge UniversityCambridge University R.U.F.C.The Cambridge University Rugby Union Football Club, or CURUFC, is the rugby union club of Cambridge University, and plays Oxford University in the annual Varsity Match at Twickenham stadium every December. CURUFC players wear light blue and white hooped jerseys with a red lion crest...
) - Clement Pearson SimpsonClement Pearson SimpsonClement Pearson Simpson OBE was an English rugby union forward who was a member of the British Isles XV that toured South Africa in 1891.-Personal history:...
(Cambridge UniversityCambridge University R.U.F.C.The Cambridge University Rugby Union Football Club, or CURUFC, is the rugby union club of Cambridge University, and plays Oxford University in the annual Varsity Match at Twickenham stadium every December. CURUFC players wear light blue and white hooped jerseys with a red lion crest...
) - Aubone SurteesAubone SurteesAubone Alfred Surtees was an English rugby union forward who played international rugby for the British Isles XV that toured South Africa in 1891.-Personal life:...
(Cambridge UniversityCambridge University R.U.F.C.The Cambridge University Rugby Union Football Club, or CURUFC, is the rugby union club of Cambridge University, and plays Oxford University in the annual Varsity Match at Twickenham stadium every December. CURUFC players wear light blue and white hooped jerseys with a red lion crest...
) - Robert ThompsonRobert Thompson (rugby player)Robert Thompson was an Irish rugby union forward who was a member of the British Isles XV that toured South Africa in 1891...
(Cambridge UniversityCambridge University R.U.F.C.The Cambridge University Rugby Union Football Club, or CURUFC, is the rugby union club of Cambridge University, and plays Oxford University in the annual Varsity Match at Twickenham stadium every December. CURUFC players wear light blue and white hooped jerseys with a red lion crest...
) - William Henry ThormanWilliam Henry ThormanWilliam Henry Thorman was an English rugby union forward who was a member of the British Isles XV that toured South Africa in 1891. Despite playing for Cambridge and the British Isles, Thorman was never awarded a national cap....
(Cambridge UniversityCambridge University R.U.F.C.The Cambridge University Rugby Union Football Club, or CURUFC, is the rugby union club of Cambridge University, and plays Oxford University in the annual Varsity Match at Twickenham stadium every December. CURUFC players wear light blue and white hooped jerseys with a red lion crest...
) - Thomas Sherren WhittakerThomas Sherren WhittakerThomas Sherren Whittaker was an English rugby union forward who was a member of the British Isles XV that toured South Africa in 1891. Whittaker was also an original member of invitational touring team, the Barbarians...
(Lancashire)
Results
Date | Opponent | Location | Result | Score | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Match 1 | 9 July | Cape Town | Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality... |
Won | 15-1 |
Match 2 | 11 July | Western Province Western Province (rugby team) DHL Western Province is a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. The team has won the Currie Cup on 32 occasions and has the most supporters of any Currie Cup team... |
Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality... |
Won | 6-0 |
Match 3 | 13 July | Cape Colony Cape Colony The Cape Colony, part of modern South Africa, was established by the Dutch East India Company in 1652, with the founding of Cape Town. It was subsequently occupied by the British in 1795 when the Netherlands were occupied by revolutionary France, so that the French revolutionaries could not take... |
Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality... |
Won | 14-0 |
Match 4 | 18 July | Kimberley | Kimberley Kimberley, Northern Cape Kimberley is a city in South Africa, and the capital of the Northern Cape. It is located near the confluence of the Vaal and Orange Rivers. The town has considerable historical significance due its diamond mining past and siege during the Second Boer War... |
Won | 7-0 |
Match 5 | 20 July | Griqualand West Wildeklawer Griquas The GWK Griquas are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup tournament. Their home ground is Hoffe Park Stadium, known for sponsorship reasons as GWK Park in Kimberley, and they draw their players from Northern Cape Province. They were previously known as... |
Kimberley Kimberley, Northern Cape Kimberley is a city in South Africa, and the capital of the Northern Cape. It is located near the confluence of the Vaal and Orange Rivers. The town has considerable historical significance due its diamond mining past and siege during the Second Boer War... |
Won | 3-0 |
Match 6 | 25 July | Port Elizabeth | Port Elizabeth | Won | 22-0 |
Match 7 | 28 July | Eastern Province Mighty Elephants The Eastern Province Kings are a South African rugby union team that participates in the annual Currie Cup and Vodacom Cup tournaments and are governed by the Eastern Province Rugby Union... |
Port Elizabeth | Won | 21-0 |
Match 8 | 30 July | South Africa South Africa national rugby union team The South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental... |
Port Elizabeth | Won | 4-0 |
Match 9 | 1 August | Grahamstown | Grahamstown Grahamstown Grahamstown is a city in the Eastern Cape Province of the Republic of South Africa and is the seat of the Makana municipality. The population of greater Grahamstown, as of 2003, was 124,758. The population of the surrounding areas, including the actual city was 41,799 of which 77.4% were black,... |
Won | 9-0 |
Match 10 | 4 August | King William's Town | King William's Town | Won | 18-0 |
Match 11 | 6 August | King William's Town & District | King William's Town | Won | 16-0 |
Match 12 | 11 August | Pietermaritzburg | Pietermaritzburg Pietermaritzburg Pietermaritzburg is the capital and second largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was founded in 1838, and is currently governed by the Msunduzi Local Municipality. Its "purist" Zulu name is umGungundlovu, and this is the name used for the district municipality... |
Won | 25-0 |
Match 13 | 15 August | Transvaal Golden Lions The Golden Lions is a provincial rugby team based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The team was originally known as Transvaal, before changes to the political landscape in South Africa forced a name change to the Gauteng Lions, before again being changed to the Golden Lions. For sponsorship reason... |
Johannesburg Johannesburg Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa... |
Won | 22-0 |
Match 14 | 19 August | Johannesburg | Johannesburg Johannesburg Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa... |
Won | 15-0 |
Match 15 | 22 August | Transvaal Golden Lions The Golden Lions is a provincial rugby team based in Johannesburg, South Africa. The team was originally known as Transvaal, before changes to the political landscape in South Africa forced a name change to the Gauteng Lions, before again being changed to the Golden Lions. For sponsorship reason... |
Johannesburg Johannesburg Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa... |
Won | 9-0 |
Match 16 | 26 August | Cape Colony Cape Colony The Cape Colony, part of modern South Africa, was established by the Dutch East India Company in 1652, with the founding of Cape Town. It was subsequently occupied by the British in 1795 when the Netherlands were occupied by revolutionary France, so that the French revolutionaries could not take... |
Kimberley Kimberley, Northern Cape Kimberley is a city in South Africa, and the capital of the Northern Cape. It is located near the confluence of the Vaal and Orange Rivers. The town has considerable historical significance due its diamond mining past and siege during the Second Boer War... |
Won | 4-0 |
Match 17 | 29 August | South Africa South Africa national rugby union team The South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental... |
Kimberley Kimberley, Northern Cape Kimberley is a city in South Africa, and the capital of the Northern Cape. It is located near the confluence of the Vaal and Orange Rivers. The town has considerable historical significance due its diamond mining past and siege during the Second Boer War... |
Won | 3-0 |
Match 18 | 3 September | Cape Colony | Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality... |
Won | 7-0 |
Match 19 | 5 September | South Africa South Africa national rugby union team The South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental... |
Cape Town Cape Town Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality... |
Won | 4-0 |
Match 20 | 7 September | Stellenbosch | Stellenbosch | Won | 2-0 |
First Test
South Africa Ben Duff, Harry BoyesHarry Boyes
Harry Churchill Boyes was a South African international rugby union winger. He was educated at Diocesan College before playing provincial rugby for Griqualand West. He made two appearances for South Africa, both during Great Britain's 1891 tour...
, Chubb Vigne
Chubb Vigne
James Talbot "Chubb" Vigne was a South African international rugby union player.Born in Fort Beaufort, and educated at New College, Eastbourne, Vigne first played provincial rugby for Transvaal .He was selected to play for South Africa during Great Britain's 1891 tour and played at centre for all...
, Mosey van Buuren
Mosey van Buuren
Mauritz Christiaan Willem Egmond "Mosey" van Buuren was a South African international rugby union player who played as a wing. Born in Burgersdorp, he attended Diocesan College before playing provincial rugby for Western Province...
, Alfred Richards, Frank Guthrie
Frank Guthrie
Frank Edward Huntingdon Guthrie was an England born South African international rugby union half-back. Although born in Notting Hill, London, Guthrie was educated at Diocesan College in Cape Town, where he also played provincial rugby for Western Province...
, Oupa Versfeld
Oupa Versfeld
Marthinus "Oupa" Versfeld was a South African international rugby union player. He was born and educated in Cape Town, where he attended SACS and played provincial rugby with Western Province. Versfeld made his only Test appearances for South Africa during Great Britain's 1891 tour...
, Bill Bisset
Bill Bisset
William Molteno "Bill" Bisset was a South African international rugby union player. He was born in Kenilworth, Cape Town, where he attended Diocesan College and represented Western Province in the inaugural Currie Cup. He made his only two appearances for South Africa during Great Britain's 1891...
, Herbert Hayton Castens
Herbert Hayton Castens
Herbert Hayton Castens was a South African rugby union footballer, and cricketer. He was South Africa's first ever rugby and cricket captain. Castens played an important role in the development of rugby and cricket in South Africa, both on and off the pitch. He was usually known as H.H...
(capt.), Tiger Devenish
Tiger Devenish
Mynardus Jeremias "Tiger" Devenish was a South African international rugby union player. Born in Victoria West, he attended SACS before playing provincial rugby for Transvaal...
, Japie Louw
Japie Louw
Jacob Stephanus "Japie" Louw was a South African international rugby union player. Born in Durbanville, he attended Paul Roos Gymnasium before playing provincial rugby for Transvaal . He made his only appearances for South Africa during Great Britain's 1891 tour, South Africa's first as a Test...
, Edward Little
Edward Little (rugby union)
Edward McMillan Little was a Scottish-born South African international rugby union player. Born in Midlothian, he first played provincial rugby for Griqualand West , before joining Western Province. He made his only two Test appearances for South Africa during Great Britain's 1891 tour...
, Fred Alexander
Fred Alexander (rugby union)
Frederick Augustus "Fred" Alexander was a South African international rugby union player. Born in Malmesbury, he attended Kimberley Boys' High School before playing provincial rugby for Griqualand West . He made his only two Test appearances for South Africa during Great Britain's 1891 tour...
, GA Merry, Frank Hamilton
Frank Hamilton (rugby union)
George Henry "Frank" Hamilton was a South African international rugby union player. Born in Cape Town, he first played provincial rugby for Eastern Province. He made his only Test appearance for South Africa during Great Britain's 1891 tour. He played as a forward in the 1st Test of the series, a...
British Isles William Grant Mitchell
William Grant Mitchell
William Grant "Willie" Mitchell was an English rugby union fullback who was a member of the first official British Isles team. Mitchell represented several club teams and was an original member of touring team, the Barbarians....
, Paul Robert Clauss
Paul Robert Clauss
Paul Robert Clauss was a German-born rugby union three-quarter who played club rugby for Oxford and Birkenhead Park. Clauss was a member of the first official British Isles tour in 1891 and also represented Scotland on six occasions...
, Randolph Aston
Randolph Aston
Randolph Littleton Aston was an English rugby union centre who played club rugby for Blackheath and Cambridge University and was a member of the first official British Isles tour in 1891.-Personal history:...
, Bill Maclagan
Bill Maclagan
William Edward "Bill" Maclagan was a Scottish international rugby union forward who played club rugby for London Scottish F.C....
(capt.), Arthur Rotherham
Arthur Rotherham
Arthur Rotherham was an English rugby union scrum-half who was a member of the first official British Isles tour and was later capped for the England team.-Personal history:...
, William Wotherspoon
William Wotherspoon (rugby player)
William Wotherspoon was a Scottish rugby union half-back who was a member of the first official British Isles tour and was also capped for the Scotland team...
, William Bromet
William Bromet
William Ernest Bromet was an English rugby union forward who played club rugby for Oxford and Tadcaster and county rugby for Yorkshire. Bromet and was a member of the first official British Isles tour in 1891 and represented England on twelve occasions between 1891 and 1896...
, John Harding Gould, Johnny Hammond
Johnny Hammond (rugby player)
John "Johnny" Hammond was an English rugby union forward who, although not capped for England, was part of three British Lions tours, all to South Africa. He gained three caps during the 1891 tour to South Africa and captained the 1896 tour, winning another two test caps...
, Froude Hancock
Froude Hancock
Philip Froude Hancock universally known as Froude Hancock was an English rugby union forward who played international rugby for the British Isles XV on two tours, the 1891 and 1896 tour of South Africa.-Personal life:...
, Robert MacMillan
Robert MacMillan
Robert "Judy" Gordon MacMillan was a Scottish international rugby union forward who played club rugby for Edinburgh University...
, Clement Pearson Simpson
Clement Pearson Simpson
Clement Pearson Simpson OBE was an English rugby union forward who was a member of the British Isles XV that toured South Africa in 1891.-Personal history:...
, Aubone Surtees
Aubone Surtees
Aubone Alfred Surtees was an English rugby union forward who played international rugby for the British Isles XV that toured South Africa in 1891.-Personal life:...
, Robert Thompson
Robert Thompson (rugby player)
Robert Thompson was an Irish rugby union forward who was a member of the British Isles XV that toured South Africa in 1891...
, Thomas Sherren Whittaker
Thomas Sherren Whittaker
Thomas Sherren Whittaker was an English rugby union forward who was a member of the British Isles XV that toured South Africa in 1891. Whittaker was also an original member of invitational touring team, the Barbarians...
----
Second Test
South Africa Ben Duff, Harry BoyesHarry Boyes
Harry Churchill Boyes was a South African international rugby union winger. He was educated at Diocesan College before playing provincial rugby for Griqualand West. He made two appearances for South Africa, both during Great Britain's 1891 tour...
, Chubb Vigne
Chubb Vigne
James Talbot "Chubb" Vigne was a South African international rugby union player.Born in Fort Beaufort, and educated at New College, Eastbourne, Vigne first played provincial rugby for Transvaal .He was selected to play for South Africa during Great Britain's 1891 tour and played at centre for all...
, Arthur de Kock
Arthur de Kock
Arthur Nicholas "Sas" de Kock was a South African international rugby union winger. Born in Hopetown, he attended Paul Roos Gymnasium before playing provincial rugby for Griqualand West. He made his only appearance for South Africa during Great Britain's 1891 tour, South Africa's first as a Test...
, Alfred Richards, Jackie Powell
Jackie Powell
John "Jackie" Powell was a rugby union player who represented South Africa 4 times, once as captain. At 19 years 260 days, he is one of the youngest ever players to have represented South Africa. He also played first-class cricket for Griqualand West....
, Oupa Versfeld
Oupa Versfeld
Marthinus "Oupa" Versfeld was a South African international rugby union player. He was born and educated in Cape Town, where he attended SACS and played provincial rugby with Western Province. Versfeld made his only Test appearances for South Africa during Great Britain's 1891 tour...
, Bob Snedden
Bob Snedden
Robert Campbell Ditchburn Snedden was a Scottish-born South African rugby union footballer. Snedden played only one Test for South Africa, in which he was captain, in 1891...
(capt.), Bob Shand
Bob Shand
Robert "Bob" Shand was a South African international rugby union player. He was born in Tulbagh and educated in Swellendam before playing provincial rugby for Griqualand West. Shand made his only two Test appearances for South Africa during Great Britain's 1891 tour, South Africa's first as a Test...
, Wilfred Trenery
Wilfred Trenery
Wilfred Eldred Trenery was an England-born South African international rugby union player, he played provincial rugby for Griqualand West. Trenery made his only appearance for South Africa during Great Britain's 1891 tour, South Africa's first as a Test nation...
, Japie Louw
Japie Louw
Jacob Stephanus "Japie" Louw was a South African international rugby union player. Born in Durbanville, he attended Paul Roos Gymnasium before playing provincial rugby for Transvaal . He made his only appearances for South Africa during Great Britain's 1891 tour, South Africa's first as a Test...
, DW Smith, Fred Alexander
Fred Alexander (rugby union)
Frederick Augustus "Fred" Alexander was a South African international rugby union player. Born in Malmesbury, he attended Kimberley Boys' High School before playing provincial rugby for Griqualand West . He made his only two Test appearances for South Africa during Great Britain's 1891 tour...
, Fairy Heatlie
Fairy Heatlie
Barry "Fairy" Heatlie was a rugby union player, representing both South Africa and Argentina. He was the fifth captain of the South African rugby union team and is attributed as the man who gave the Springboks their famous green jersey.His contributions to the early development of South African...
, CW Smith
British Isles William Grant Mitchell
William Grant Mitchell
William Grant "Willie" Mitchell was an English rugby union fullback who was a member of the first official British Isles team. Mitchell represented several club teams and was an original member of touring team, the Barbarians....
, Paul Robert Clauss
Paul Robert Clauss
Paul Robert Clauss was a German-born rugby union three-quarter who played club rugby for Oxford and Birkenhead Park. Clauss was a member of the first official British Isles tour in 1891 and also represented Scotland on six occasions...
, Randolph Aston
Randolph Aston
Randolph Littleton Aston was an English rugby union centre who played club rugby for Blackheath and Cambridge University and was a member of the first official British Isles tour in 1891.-Personal history:...
, Bill Maclagan
Bill Maclagan
William Edward "Bill" Maclagan was a Scottish international rugby union forward who played club rugby for London Scottish F.C....
(capt.), Howard Marshall
Howard Marshall (rugby player)
Dr. Howard Marshall OBE was an English rugby union half-back who played club rugby for Blackheath and Richmond and was a member of the first official British Isles tour in 1891...
, Edward Bromet
Edward Bromet
Edward Bromet was an English rugby union forward who was a member of the first official British Isles team to tour abroad...
, William Bromet
William Bromet
William Ernest Bromet was an English rugby union forward who played club rugby for Oxford and Tadcaster and county rugby for Yorkshire. Bromet and was a member of the first official British Isles tour in 1891 and represented England on twelve occasions between 1891 and 1896...
, John Harding Gould, Johnny Hammond
Johnny Hammond (rugby player)
John "Johnny" Hammond was an English rugby union forward who, although not capped for England, was part of three British Lions tours, all to South Africa. He gained three caps during the 1891 tour to South Africa and captained the 1896 tour, winning another two test caps...
, Froude Hancock
Froude Hancock
Philip Froude Hancock universally known as Froude Hancock was an English rugby union forward who played international rugby for the British Isles XV on two tours, the 1891 and 1896 tour of South Africa.-Personal life:...
, Robert MacMillan
Robert MacMillan
Robert "Judy" Gordon MacMillan was a Scottish international rugby union forward who played club rugby for Edinburgh University...
, Edwin Mayfield
Edwin Mayfield
Edwin Mayfiled was an English rugby union forward who played club rugby for Cambridge University and was a member of the first official British Isles tour in 1891...
, Aubone Surtees
Aubone Surtees
Aubone Alfred Surtees was an English rugby union forward who played international rugby for the British Isles XV that toured South Africa in 1891.-Personal life:...
, Robert Thompson
Robert Thompson (rugby player)
Robert Thompson was an Irish rugby union forward who was a member of the British Isles XV that toured South Africa in 1891...
, Thomas Sherren Whittaker
Thomas Sherren Whittaker
Thomas Sherren Whittaker was an English rugby union forward who was a member of the British Isles XV that toured South Africa in 1891. Whittaker was also an original member of invitational touring team, the Barbarians...
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Third Test
South Africa Ben Duff, AJ Hartley, Chubb VigneChubb Vigne
James Talbot "Chubb" Vigne was a South African international rugby union player.Born in Fort Beaufort, and educated at New College, Eastbourne, Vigne first played provincial rugby for Transvaal .He was selected to play for South Africa during Great Britain's 1891 tour and played at centre for all...
, Hasie Versfeld
Hasie Versfeld
Charles "Hasie" Versfeld was a South African international rugby union player. Born in Wynberg, Cape Town, he was educated at Green Point Grammar School before playing provincial rugby for Western Province. Versfeld made his only appearance for South Africa in the 3rd Test of Great Britain's 1891...
, Alfred Richards (capt.), Frank Guthrie
Frank Guthrie
Frank Edward Huntingdon Guthrie was an England born South African international rugby union half-back. Although born in Notting Hill, London, Guthrie was educated at Diocesan College in Cape Town, where he also played provincial rugby for Western Province...
, Oupa Versfeld
Oupa Versfeld
Marthinus "Oupa" Versfeld was a South African international rugby union player. He was born and educated in Cape Town, where he attended SACS and played provincial rugby with Western Province. Versfeld made his only Test appearances for South Africa during Great Britain's 1891 tour...
, Bill Bisset
Bill Bisset
William Molteno "Bill" Bisset was a South African international rugby union player. He was born in Kenilworth, Cape Town, where he attended Diocesan College and represented Western Province in the inaugural Currie Cup. He made his only two appearances for South Africa during Great Britain's 1891...
, Bob Shand
Bob Shand
Robert "Bob" Shand was a South African international rugby union player. He was born in Tulbagh and educated in Swellendam before playing provincial rugby for Griqualand West. Shand made his only two Test appearances for South Africa during Great Britain's 1891 tour, South Africa's first as a Test...
, CG van Renen, Japie Louw
Japie Louw
Jacob Stephanus "Japie" Louw was a South African international rugby union player. Born in Durbanville, he attended Paul Roos Gymnasium before playing provincial rugby for Transvaal . He made his only appearances for South Africa during Great Britain's 1891 tour, South Africa's first as a Test...
, Edward Little
Edward Little (rugby union)
Edward McMillan Little was a Scottish-born South African international rugby union player. Born in Midlothian, he first played provincial rugby for Griqualand West , before joining Western Province. He made his only two Test appearances for South Africa during Great Britain's 1891 tour...
, JA McKendrick, Fairy Heatlie
Fairy Heatlie
Barry "Fairy" Heatlie was a rugby union player, representing both South Africa and Argentina. He was the fifth captain of the South African rugby union team and is attributed as the man who gave the Springboks their famous green jersey.His contributions to the early development of South African...
, TW Chignell
British Isles William Grant Mitchell
William Grant Mitchell
William Grant "Willie" Mitchell was an English rugby union fullback who was a member of the first official British Isles team. Mitchell represented several club teams and was an original member of touring team, the Barbarians....
, Paul Robert Clauss
Paul Robert Clauss
Paul Robert Clauss was a German-born rugby union three-quarter who played club rugby for Oxford and Birkenhead Park. Clauss was a member of the first official British Isles tour in 1891 and also represented Scotland on six occasions...
, Randolph Aston
Randolph Aston
Randolph Littleton Aston was an English rugby union centre who played club rugby for Blackheath and Cambridge University and was a member of the first official British Isles tour in 1891.-Personal history:...
, Bill Maclagan
Bill Maclagan
William Edward "Bill" Maclagan was a Scottish international rugby union forward who played club rugby for London Scottish F.C....
(capt.), Howard Marshall
Howard Marshall (rugby player)
Dr. Howard Marshall OBE was an English rugby union half-back who played club rugby for Blackheath and Richmond and was a member of the first official British Isles tour in 1891...
, Arthur Rotherham
Arthur Rotherham
Arthur Rotherham was an English rugby union scrum-half who was a member of the first official British Isles tour and was later capped for the England team.-Personal history:...
, William Bromet
William Bromet
William Ernest Bromet was an English rugby union forward who played club rugby for Oxford and Tadcaster and county rugby for Yorkshire. Bromet and was a member of the first official British Isles tour in 1891 and represented England on twelve occasions between 1891 and 1896...
, Edward Bromet
Edward Bromet
Edward Bromet was an English rugby union forward who was a member of the first official British Isles team to tour abroad...
, Johnny Hammond
Johnny Hammond (rugby player)
John "Johnny" Hammond was an English rugby union forward who, although not capped for England, was part of three British Lions tours, all to South Africa. He gained three caps during the 1891 tour to South Africa and captained the 1896 tour, winning another two test caps...
, Froude Hancock
Froude Hancock
Philip Froude Hancock universally known as Froude Hancock was an English rugby union forward who played international rugby for the British Isles XV on two tours, the 1891 and 1896 tour of South Africa.-Personal life:...
, Robert MacMillan
Robert MacMillan
Robert "Judy" Gordon MacMillan was a Scottish international rugby union forward who played club rugby for Edinburgh University...
, Edwin Mayfield
Edwin Mayfield
Edwin Mayfiled was an English rugby union forward who played club rugby for Cambridge University and was a member of the first official British Isles tour in 1891...
, Aubone Surtees
Aubone Surtees
Aubone Alfred Surtees was an English rugby union forward who played international rugby for the British Isles XV that toured South Africa in 1891.-Personal life:...
, Robert Thompson
Robert Thompson (rugby player)
Robert Thompson was an Irish rugby union forward who was a member of the British Isles XV that toured South Africa in 1891...
, Thomas Sherren Whittaker
Thomas Sherren Whittaker
Thomas Sherren Whittaker was an English rugby union forward who was a member of the British Isles XV that toured South Africa in 1891. Whittaker was also an original member of invitational touring team, the Barbarians...
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