1896 British Lions tour to South Africa
Encyclopedia
1896 British Isles tour to South Africa was a rugby union
tour undertaken by the British Isles
, one of the first British and Irish Lions tours. The team toured South Africa
for the second time in 1896. Between July 11 and September 5, they played 21 games, including four tests against South Africa
. The British Isles XV won the Test series 3-1 and completed the 17-game provincial program unbeaten, scoring 204 points and conceding just 45 in all matches.
campaign, the captain Johnny Hammond
and fellow forward Froude Hancock . For the first time the squad also included a notable Irish contingent. Nine Irishmen were included in the touring party of 21. These included Tom Crean
, Larry Bulger
, Jim Sealy, Andrew Clinch
and Louis Magee
, all of whom had just helped Ireland
win the 1896 Home Nations Championship
.
Robert Johnston had won two caps for Ireland in 1893
. The other three - Arthur Meares
, Cecil Boyd
and James Magee
, the brother of Louis – had not yet been capped by Ireland at the time of this tour. Crean and the Magee brothers were the only Catholics
in the touring party and on the Sunday after they arrived, they begged to be excused from joining an excursion to Hout Bay
. On being pressed for a reason for such a refusal, they shyly admitted that they had been three Sundays on board ship, without Mass
, and they would like to attend church. The management committee replied that they could all go to their various churches if they pleased, and that the excursions would start afterwards .
Hammond’s squad was considered to have an outstanding pack but be comparatively weak in the three-quarter line. Louis Magee and England
full-back Fred Byrne
were the stars of the backline, but it was a forward eight inspired by Tom Crean that laid the foundations for the teams success . Hammond, was injured early in the tour and it was Crean who took over the role in his absence. The teams only draw came in an early game against Western Province
. Before the game, the new Prime Minister of the colony, Sir Gordon Sprigg
, insisted on entertaining the tour party in the grand manner of his predecessor, Cecil Rhodes. Crean, captain for the day, sensing a ruse, sternly warned his players to limit their lunchtime consumption to just four tumblers of champagne, but it would appear some lost count. They escaped with a lucky 0-0 draw, but in a later game a much more sober team avenged the result 32-0, their biggest win of the tour .
Facing a South Africa
side captained by Ferdie Aston
, brother of Randolph Aston
, a member of the 1891 British team, the tourists dominated at forward throughout but could only score two tries in an 8-0 win. South Africa scored their first tries in international rugby in the second Test but still went down 17-8. In the third, the hosts actually led but were overhauled to go down 9-3, with Byrne kicking a conversion and a drop goal to set a record. He remained the only player to score 100 points while on tour in South Africa until 1960 when Don Clarke
of New Zealand
beat his record. South Africa improved, however, and won the final test 5-0 at Newlands
. It was the previously flawless Byrne who lost possession to spark the attack from which Alf Larard scored the game’s only try .
When the tour ended, both Crean and Johnston remained in South Africa. During the Second Boer War
they both served with the Imperial Light Horse and were both subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross
. One member of the Lions squad, Cuth Mullins, was a South African who was studying at Oxford University. His brother, Charles Herbert Mullins
, also won a VC during the same engagement as Johnston. The fly half, Rev. Matthew Mullineux
, was awarded the Military Cross
in the First World War while another member of squad Walter Carey
became the Archbishop of Bloemfontein
; both men became Military Chaplain
s for the British Navy.
As on the previous tour in 1891, the tourists played in red and white hopped shirts and dark blue shorts.
South Africa: D Lyons, Percy Twentyman-Jones
, Biddy Anderson, Ferdie Aston
, E Olver, FR MyBurgh capt., Frank Guthrie
, JJ Wessels, P Scott, PJ Meyer, M Bredenkamp, Frank Douglass
, BH Heatlie
, CG van Renen, HC Gorton
----
South Africa: Davey Cope
, Theo Samuels
, HH Forbes, Ferdie Aston
capt., Bill Taberer
, A Larard, G St. L Devenish, JJ Wessels, P Scott, AM Beswick, Jim Crosby
, Charlie Devenish
, Tom Mellett
, JB Andrew, CW Smith
----
South Africa: Theo Samuels
, Percy Twentyman-Jones
, Biddy Anderson, Ferdie Aston
capt., Albert Powell
, Bill Cotty
, Jackie Powell
, JJ Wessels, P Scott, AM Beswick, M Bredenkamp, DJ Theunissen, EW Kelly, PJ Dormehl, CW Smith
----
South Africa: Theo Samuels
, Percy Twentyman-Jones
, Biddy Anderson, Ferdie Aston
, T Hepburn, A Larard, T Etlinger, HA Cloete
, P Scott, AM Beswick, P De Waal, HD Van Brockhuizen, BH Heatlie
capt., PJ Dormehl, CG Van Renen
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 undertaken by the British Isles
British and Irish Lions
The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales...
, one of the first British and Irish Lions tours. The team toured 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...
for the second time in 1896. Between July 11 and September 5, they played 21 games, including four tests against 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...
. The British Isles XV won the Test series 3-1 and completed the 17-game provincial program unbeaten, scoring 204 points and conceding just 45 in all matches.
Tour overview
The squad had experience on their side in the shape of two veterans of the 18911891 British Lions tour to South Africa
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...
campaign, the captain 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...
and fellow forward Froude Hancock . For the first time the squad also included a notable Irish contingent. Nine Irishmen were included in the touring party of 21. These included Tom Crean
Thomas Joseph Crean
Major Dr. Thomas Joseph Crean, VC, DSO was an Irish rugby union player, British Army soldier and doctor. During the Second Boer War, while serving with the Imperial Light Horse, he was awarded the Victoria Cross. His VC medal is displayed at the Army Medical Services Museum...
, Larry Bulger
Lawrence Bulger
Lawrence 'Larry' Quinlivan Bulger was an Irish rugby union player, athlete and doctor. Bulger played international rugby for Ireland and in 1896 was chosen to represent a British Isles XV in their tour of South Africa...
, Jim Sealy, Andrew Clinch
Andrew Clinch
Andrew Daniel Clinch , was an Irish rugby union forward who played club rugby for Dublin University and international rugby for Ireland and the British Isles.-Biography:...
and Louis Magee
Louis Magee
Aloysius Mary "Louis" Magee was an Irish rugby union halfback. Magee played club rugby for Bective Rangers and London Irish and played international rugby for Ireland and was part of the British Isles team in their 1896 tour of South Africa.Magee was capped 27 times for Ireland, ten as captain,...
, all of whom had just helped Ireland
Ireland national rugby union team
The Ireland national rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in rugby union. The team competes annually in the Six Nations Championship and every four years in the Rugby World Cup, where they reached the quarter-final stage in all but two competitions The Ireland national rugby union...
win the 1896 Home Nations Championship
1896 Home Nations Championship
The 1896 Home Nations Championship was the fourteenth series of the rugby union Home Nations Championship. Six matches were played between 4 January and 14 March. It was contested by England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.-Table:-Results:...
.
Robert Johnston had won two caps for Ireland in 1893
1893 Home Nations Championship
The 1893 Home Nations Championship was the eleventh series of the rugby union Home Nations Championship. Six matches were played between 17 January and 11 March. It was contested by England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales...
. The other three - Arthur Meares
Arthur Meares
Arthur William Devenish Meares, also known as Arthur William Devenish-Meares or "Newry" Meares was an Irish rugby union player who won four caps for Ireland and two for the British Isles....
, Cecil Boyd
Cecil Boyd
Dr. Cecil Anderson Boyd MC was an Irish rugby union player, and doctor. Boyd played international rugby for Ireland and in 1896 was chosen to represent a British Isles XV in their tour of South Africa...
and James Magee
James Magee
James Mary Magee was an Irish cricketer and rugby union player. Magee was capped in both sports, playing cricket for Ireland and in 1896 he was part of the British Isles team that toured South Africa.-Cricket career:Magee was born in Dublin in 1872 and was educated at Clongowes Wood College in...
, the brother of Louis – had not yet been capped by Ireland at the time of this tour. Crean and the Magee brothers were the only Catholics
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
in the touring party and on the Sunday after they arrived, they begged to be excused from joining an excursion to Hout Bay
Hout Bay
Hout Bay is the name of a coastal suburb of Cape Town, South Africa with a mix of neighbourhoods from the very rich to the very poor. It lies in a valley on the Atlantic Seaboard of the Cape Peninsula and is twenty kilometres south of the Central Business District of Cape Town...
. On being pressed for a reason for such a refusal, they shyly admitted that they had been three Sundays on board ship, without Mass
Mass (liturgy)
"Mass" is one of the names by which the sacrament of the Eucharist is called in the Roman Catholic Church: others are "Eucharist", the "Lord's Supper", the "Breaking of Bread", the "Eucharistic assembly ", the "memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection", the "Holy Sacrifice", the "Holy and...
, and they would like to attend church. The management committee replied that they could all go to their various churches if they pleased, and that the excursions would start afterwards .
Hammond’s squad was considered to have an outstanding pack but be comparatively weak in the three-quarter line. Louis Magee and England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
full-back Fred Byrne
J. F. Byrne
James Frederick Byrne was English sportsman who captained Warwickshire at first-class cricket and was capped in rugby for both England and the British and Irish Lions.-Cricket career:...
were the stars of the backline, but it was a forward eight inspired by Tom Crean that laid the foundations for the teams success . Hammond, was injured early in the tour and it was Crean who took over the role in his absence. The teams only draw came in an early game against 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...
. Before the game, the new Prime Minister of the colony, Sir Gordon Sprigg
John Gordon Sprigg
Sir John Gordon Sprigg GCMG PC was a British administrator, politician and four-time prime minister of the Cape Colony.-Early life:Sprigg was born in Ipswich, England, into a strongly Puritan family...
, insisted on entertaining the tour party in the grand manner of his predecessor, Cecil Rhodes. Crean, captain for the day, sensing a ruse, sternly warned his players to limit their lunchtime consumption to just four tumblers of champagne, but it would appear some lost count. They escaped with a lucky 0-0 draw, but in a later game a much more sober team avenged the result 32-0, their biggest win of the tour .
Facing a 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...
side captained by Ferdie Aston
Ferdie Aston
Fitzmaurice "Ferdie" Thomas Drake Aston was an English-born South African rugby union player. He was capped four times for South Africa, captaining them in three Tests....
, brother of 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:...
, a member of the 1891 British team, the tourists dominated at forward throughout but could only score two tries in an 8-0 win. South Africa scored their first tries in international rugby in the second Test but still went down 17-8. In the third, the hosts actually led but were overhauled to go down 9-3, with Byrne kicking a conversion and a drop goal to set a record. He remained the only player to score 100 points while on tour in South Africa until 1960 when Don Clarke
Don Clarke
Donald Barry Clarke was a New Zealand rugby union player who played 89 times as a New Zealand international from 1956 until 1964...
of New Zealand
New Zealand national rugby team
New Zealand national rugby team may refer to national teams in the different varieties of rugby:* New Zealand national rugby union team, better known as the All Blacks, administered by the New Zealand Rugby Football Union....
beat his record. South Africa improved, however, and won the final test 5-0 at Newlands
Newlands Stadium
Newlands Stadium, currently referred to as DHL Newlands for sponsorship reasons, is located in Cape Town, South Africa.The stadium currently has a capacity of 51,900 people, but is not an all seater venue....
. It was the previously flawless Byrne who lost possession to spark the attack from which Alf Larard scored the game’s only try .
When the tour ended, both Crean and Johnston remained in South Africa. During the Second Boer War
Second Boer War
The Second Boer War was fought from 11 October 1899 until 31 May 1902 between the British Empire and the Afrikaans-speaking Dutch settlers of two independent Boer republics, the South African Republic and the Orange Free State...
they both served with the Imperial Light Horse and were both subsequently awarded the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
. One member of the Lions squad, Cuth Mullins, was a South African who was studying at Oxford University. His brother, Charles Herbert Mullins
Charles Herbert Mullins
Major Charles Herbert Mullins VC CMG was a South African recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
, also won a VC during the same engagement as Johnston. The fly half, Rev. Matthew Mullineux
Matthew Mullineux
Matthew Mullineux MC was an English rugby union scrum-half who, although not capped for England, was selected for two British Lions tours. He gained one cap during the 1896 tour to South Africa and captained the 1899 tour of Australia...
, was awarded the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
in the First World War while another member of squad Walter Carey
Walter Julius Carey
The Rt Revd Walter Julius Carey was an English rugby union forward, Anglican chaplain, theological author and Bishop of Bloemfontein. Carey played club rugby for Oxford University and Blackheath and played international rugby for the British Isles XV in their 1896 tour of South Africa...
became the Archbishop of Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein
Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...
; both men became Military Chaplain
Military chaplain
A military chaplain is a chaplain who ministers to soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines and other members of the military. In many countries, chaplains also minister to the family members of military personnel, to civilian noncombatants working for military organizations and to civilians within the...
s for the British Navy.
As on the previous tour in 1891, the tourists played in red and white hopped shirts and dark blue shorts.
Touring party
- Manager: Roger WalkerRoger Walker (rugby)Roger Walker was a rugby union forward who played club rugby for Manchester Rugby Club and international rugby for England...
- Captain: 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...
Full Backs
- Fred ByrneJ. F. ByrneJames Frederick Byrne was English sportsman who captained Warwickshire at first-class cricket and was capped in rugby for both England and the British and Irish Lions.-Cricket career:...
(MoseleyMoseley Rugby Football ClubMoseley Rugby Football Club is an English rugby union club, based at Billesley Common in Birmingham, that competes in the RFU Championship. The club was historically the premier rugby club in Birmingham, reaching the final of the John Player Cup three times in the late 1970s and early 1980s...
/EnglandEngland national rugby union teamThe England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
)
Three-Quarters
- Cecil BoydCecil BoydDr. Cecil Anderson Boyd MC was an Irish rugby union player, and doctor. Boyd played international rugby for Ireland and in 1896 was chosen to represent a British Isles XV in their tour of South Africa...
(Dublin UniversityDublin University Football ClubDublin University Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Dublin, Trinity College, in Dublin, Ireland.-History:...
) - Larry BulgerLawrence BulgerLawrence 'Larry' Quinlivan Bulger was an Irish rugby union player, athlete and doctor. Bulger played international rugby for Ireland and in 1896 was chosen to represent a British Isles XV in their tour of South Africa...
(Dublin UniversityDublin University Football ClubDublin University Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Dublin, Trinity College, in Dublin, Ireland.-History:...
/Lansdowne/IrelandIreland national rugby union teamThe Ireland national rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in rugby union. The team competes annually in the Six Nations Championship and every four years in the Rugby World Cup, where they reached the quarter-final stage in all but two competitions The Ireland national rugby union...
) - Osbert MackieOsbert MackieOsbert Gadesden Mackie was an English rugby union centre and Anglican priest. Mackie played club rugby for Wakefield Trinity and Cambridge University and county rugby for Yorkshire...
(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...
) - James MageeJames MageeJames Mary Magee was an Irish cricketer and rugby union player. Magee was capped in both sports, playing cricket for Ireland and in 1896 he was part of the British Isles team that toured South Africa.-Cricket career:Magee was born in Dublin in 1872 and was educated at Clongowes Wood College in...
(Bective RangersBective RangersBective Rangers is a rugby union club in Dublin, Ireland founded in 1881.The Club is affiliated to the Leinster Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union and play in Division 2 of the All Ireland League....
) - C.O. Robinson (Northumberland)
Half backs
- Sydney Pyman BellSydney Pyman BellSydney Pyman Bell was an English rugby union halfback and solicitor. Bell played club rugby for Cambridge University and Northern and played international rugby for the British Isles XV in their 1896 tour of South Africa....
(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...
) - Louis MageeLouis MageeAloysius Mary "Louis" Magee was an Irish rugby union halfback. Magee played club rugby for Bective Rangers and London Irish and played international rugby for Ireland and was part of the British Isles team in their 1896 tour of South Africa.Magee was capped 27 times for Ireland, ten as captain,...
(Bective RangersBective RangersBective Rangers is a rugby union club in Dublin, Ireland founded in 1881.The Club is affiliated to the Leinster Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union and play in Division 2 of the All Ireland League....
/ London IrishLondon IrishLondon Irish RFC is an English rugby union club based in Sunbury, Surrey, where the senior squad train, the youth teams and senior academy play home games, and the club maintain their administrative offices. The senior squad play home games at the Madejski Stadium in Reading and compete in the top...
/Ireland) - Matthew MullineuxMatthew MullineuxMatthew Mullineux MC was an English rugby union scrum-half who, although not capped for England, was selected for two British Lions tours. He gained one cap during the 1896 tour to South Africa and captained the 1899 tour of Australia...
(Blackheath)
Forwards
- Walter Julius CareyWalter Julius CareyThe Rt Revd Walter Julius Carey was an English rugby union forward, Anglican chaplain, theological author and Bishop of Bloemfontein. Carey played club rugby for Oxford University and Blackheath and played international rugby for the British Isles XV in their 1896 tour of South Africa...
(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:...
) - Andrew ClinchAndrew ClinchAndrew Daniel Clinch , was an Irish rugby union forward who played club rugby for Dublin University and international rugby for Ireland and the British Isles.-Biography:...
(Dublin UniversityDublin University Football ClubDublin University Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Dublin, Trinity College, in Dublin, Ireland.-History:...
/ Ireland) - Thomas CreanThomas CreanTom Crean may refer to:*Tom Crean , Irish seaman and Antarctic explorer*Tom Crean , head coach of the Indiana Hoosiers men's basketball team-See also:...
(Wanderers / Richmond / Ireland) - 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...
/ Blackheath) - 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:...
(Blackheath) - Robert Johnston (Wanderers / Ireland)
- G.W. Lee (Rockcliff)
- Arthur MearesArthur MearesArthur William Devenish Meares, also known as Arthur William Devenish-Meares or "Newry" Meares was an Irish rugby union player who won four caps for Ireland and two for the British Isles....
(Dublin UniversityDublin University Football ClubDublin University Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Dublin, Trinity College, in Dublin, Ireland.-History:...
) - William MortimerWilliam MortimerWilliam Mortimer was an English rugby union forward who played club rugby for Marlborough Nomads and was capped for England, and was part of the British Isles tour to South Africa in 1896.-Early life:...
(Marlborough NomadsMarlborough NomadsThe Marlborough Nomads was a 19th century rugby football club that was notable for being one of the twenty-one founding members of the Rugby Football Union, as well as producing a number of international players in the sport's early international fixtures....
) - Cuth MullinsCuth MullinsDr. Reginald Cuthbert "Cuth" Mullins was a South African rugby union forward and medical doctor. Mullins played club rugby for Oxford University and played international rugby for the British Isles XV in their 1896 tour of South Africa.-Personal history:Mullins was born in Grahamstown, South...
(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:...
) - Jim SealyJim SealyJames "Jim" Sealy, was an Irish rugby union player who won nine caps for Ireland and four for the British Isles. During his international career, Sealey represented Dublin University at club level.-References:...
(Dublin UniversityDublin University Football ClubDublin University Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Dublin, Trinity College, in Dublin, Ireland.-History:...
/ Ireland) - Alexander ToddAlexander Todd (rugby player)Alexander Findlater Todd was an English rugby union forward who played for Cambridge University and Blackheath F.C. at club level, and Kent at county level...
(Blackheath)
Results
| Date | Opponent | Location | Result | Score | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match 1 | 11 July | Cape Town Clubs | 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... |
Win | 14-9 |
| Match 2 | 13 July | Suburban Clubs | 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... |
Win | 8-0 |
| Match 3 | 15 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... |
Draw | 0-0 |
| Match 4 | 18 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... |
Win | 11-9 |
| Match 5 | 22 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... |
Win | 16-0 |
| Match 6 | 25 July | Port Elizabeth | Port Elizabeth | Win | 26-3 |
| 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 | Win | 18-0 |
| 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 | Win | 8-0 |
| 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,... |
Win | 20-0 |
| Match 10 | 4 August | King Williams Town | King William's Town | Win | 25-0 |
| Match 11 | 6 August | East London | East London | Win | 27-0 |
| Match 12 | 8 August | Queenstown | Queenstown Queenstown, Eastern Cape Queenstown, named after Queen Victoria, is a town in the middle of the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, roughly half way in between the towns of Cathcart and Sterkstroom. It is currently the commercial, administrative, and educational centre of the prosperous surrounding farming district... |
Win | 25-0 |
| Match 13 | 12 August | Johannesburg-Country | 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... |
Win | 7-0 |
| Match 14 | 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... |
Win | 16-3 |
| Match 15 | 17 August | Johannesburg-Town | 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... |
Win | 18-0 |
| Match 16 | 19 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... |
Win | 16-5 |
| Match 17 | 22 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... |
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... |
Win | 17-8 |
| Match 18 | 26 August | Cape Colony | 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... |
Win | 7-0 |
| Match 19 | 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... |
Win | 9-3 |
| Match 20 | 3 September | 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... |
Win | 32-0 |
| Match 21 | 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... |
Loss | 0-5 |
First Test
British Isles: CA Boyd, LQ Bulger, JF Byrne, OG Mackie, R Johnston, M Mullineux, AM Magee, RC Mullins, AF Todd, W Mortimer, PF Hancock, WJ Carey, J Sealey, AD Clinch, TJ Crean capt.South Africa: D Lyons, Percy Twentyman-Jones
Percy Twentyman-Jones
Percy Sydney Twentyman-Jones was a South African sportsman who played international cricket in one Test in 1902, and international rugby union in three Tests in 1896....
, Biddy Anderson, Ferdie Aston
Ferdie Aston
Fitzmaurice "Ferdie" Thomas Drake Aston was an English-born South African rugby union player. He was capped four times for South Africa, captaining them in three Tests....
, E Olver, FR MyBurgh 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...
, JJ Wessels, P Scott, PJ Meyer, M Bredenkamp, Frank Douglass
Frank Douglass
Francis Wingfield "Frank" Douglass was a South African international rugby union player. Born in Grahamstown, he attended St. Andrew's College before playing provincial rugby for Eastern Province. He made his only Test appearance for South Africa during Great Britain's 1896 tour...
, BH 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...
, CG van Renen, HC Gorton
----
Second Test
British Isles: JT Magee, LQ Bulger, JF Byrne, OG Mackie, R Johnston, SP Bell, AM Magee, J Hammond capt., AF Todd, W Mortimer, PF Hancock, WJ Carey, J Sealey, AD Clinch, TJ CreanSouth Africa: Davey Cope
Davey Cope
David Gill "Davey" Cope was a South African international rugby union player.Born in Kimberley, he attended Diocesan College before playing provincial rugby for Transvaal ....
, Theo Samuels
Theo Samuels
Theodore Alexander "Theo" Samuels was a South African international rugby union player. Born in George, he attended Diocesan College before playing provincial rugby for Griqualand West...
, HH Forbes, Ferdie Aston
Ferdie Aston
Fitzmaurice "Ferdie" Thomas Drake Aston was an English-born South African rugby union player. He was capped four times for South Africa, captaining them in three Tests....
capt., Bill Taberer
Bill Taberer
Walter Stringfellow "Bill" Taberer was a South African international rugby union player. Born in King William's Town, he attended St. Andrew's College before playing provincial rugby for Griqualand West. He made his only Test appearance for South Africa during Great Britain's 1896 tour...
, A Larard, G St. L Devenish, JJ Wessels, P Scott, AM Beswick, Jim Crosby
Jim Crosby
James Huskisson "Jim" Crosby was a South African international rugby union player. Born in Cape Town, he attended SACS before playing provincial rugby for Transvaal . He made his only Test appearance for South Africa during Great Britain's 1896 tour...
, Charlie Devenish
Charlie Devenish
Charles Edwin "Charlie" Devenish was a South African international rugby union player. Born in Victoria West, he first played provincial rugby for Griqualand West . He made his only Test appearance for South Africa during Great Britain's 1896 tour...
, Tom Mellett
Tom Mellett
Thomas Brown "Tom" Mellet was a South African international rugby union player. He was born in Potchefstroom and first played provincial rugby for Griqualand West . He made his only Test appearance for South Africa during Great Britain's 1896 tour...
, JB Andrew, CW Smith
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Third Test
British Isles: AWD Meares, LQ Bulger, JF Byrne, OG Mackie, R Johnston, SP Bell, AM Magee, RC Mullins, AF Todd, W Mortimer, PF Hancock, WJ Carey, J Sealey, AD Clinch, TJ Crean capt.South Africa: Theo Samuels
Theo Samuels
Theodore Alexander "Theo" Samuels was a South African international rugby union player. Born in George, he attended Diocesan College before playing provincial rugby for Griqualand West...
, Percy Twentyman-Jones
Percy Twentyman-Jones
Percy Sydney Twentyman-Jones was a South African sportsman who played international cricket in one Test in 1902, and international rugby union in three Tests in 1896....
, Biddy Anderson, Ferdie Aston
Ferdie Aston
Fitzmaurice "Ferdie" Thomas Drake Aston was an English-born South African rugby union player. He was capped four times for South Africa, captaining them in three Tests....
capt., Albert Powell
Albert Powell
Albert "Bertie" William Powell was a South African sportsman who played both international cricket and rugby union for South Africa....
, Bill Cotty
Bill Cotty
William Alfred Henry "Bill" Cotty was a South African international rugby union player. Born in Kimberley, he attented Kimberley Boys' High School before playing provincial rugby for Griqualand West . He made his only Test appearance for South Africa during Great Britain's 1896 tour...
, 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....
, JJ Wessels, P Scott, AM Beswick, M Bredenkamp, DJ Theunissen, EW Kelly, PJ Dormehl, CW Smith
----
Fourth Test
British Isles: AWD Meares, JT Magee, JF Byrne, OG Mackie, LQ Bulger, SP Bell, AM Magee, J Hammond, AF Todd, W Mortimer, PF Hancock, WJ Carey, J Sealey, AD Clinch, TJ Crean capt.South Africa: Theo Samuels
Theo Samuels
Theodore Alexander "Theo" Samuels was a South African international rugby union player. Born in George, he attended Diocesan College before playing provincial rugby for Griqualand West...
, Percy Twentyman-Jones
Percy Twentyman-Jones
Percy Sydney Twentyman-Jones was a South African sportsman who played international cricket in one Test in 1902, and international rugby union in three Tests in 1896....
, Biddy Anderson, Ferdie Aston
Ferdie Aston
Fitzmaurice "Ferdie" Thomas Drake Aston was an English-born South African rugby union player. He was capped four times for South Africa, captaining them in three Tests....
, T Hepburn, A Larard, T Etlinger, HA Cloete
Patats Cloete
Henry Arthur "Patats" Cloete was a South African international rugby union player. Born in Cape Town, he first played provincial rugby for Western Province. He made his only Test appearance for South Africa during Great Britain's 1896 tour. He played as a forward for the 4th Test of the series, a...
, P Scott, AM Beswick, P De Waal, HD Van Brockhuizen, BH 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...
capt., PJ Dormehl, CG Van Renen