1984 England rugby union tour of South Africa

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1984 England rugby union tour of South Africa
Summary
PWDL
Total
7412
Test match
2002
Opponent
PWDL
Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg  South Africa
2 0 0 2

The 1984 England rugby union tour of South Africa was a series of seven matches played by the England national rugby union team in South Africa in May and June 1984. England played seven games, including two test matches against the South Africa national rugby union team. They won four of the seven matches but lost both of the test matches as well as drawing the fixture against Western Province.

Contents

England's decision to take part in the tour drew public criticism, and was the subject of covert political pressure, partly due to the prevailing apartheid system in South Africa. The Council of the Rugby Football Union voted in favour of the tour proceeding by 44 votes to 6. [1] Although only Ralph Knibbs of Bristol made opposition to apartheid his reason, [2] many other top players were also unable to tour, [3] and the squad was relatively inexperienced. 10 of the 26 players were uncapped before the tour and 7 gained their first caps in South Africa.

Matches

Scores and results list England's points tally first.
Opposing TeamForAgainstDateVenueStatus
Currie Cup "B" Section312119 May 1984 Kings Park Stadium, DurbanTour Match
South African Federation 232123 May 1984 Danie Craven Stadium, StellenboschTour Match
Western Province 151526 May 1984 Newlands, Cape TownTour Match
South African Rugby Association 30829 May 1984 Border Rugby Union Ground, East London Tour Match
South Africa 15332 June 1984 Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth First Test
South African Country Districts XV 33125 June 1984DP de Villers Stadium, Sasolburg Tour Match
South Africa 9359 June 1984 Ellis Park, Johannesburg Second Test

Test matches

First test

2 June 1984
South Africa  Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg33–15Flag of England.svg  England
Try: du Plessis
Gerber, Louw
Con: Heunis 3
Pen: Heunis 5
[4] Pen: Hare 4
Drop: Horton
Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Referee: René Hourquet (France)
South AfricaEngland
Johan Heunis FB15FB Dusty Hare
Avril Williams W14W Mark Bailey Sub off.svg
Danie Gerber C13C John Palmer
John Villet C12C Huw Davis
Carel du Plessis W11W David Trick
Errol Tobias FH10FH John Horton
Divan Serfontein SH9SH Richard Hill
Gerrie Sonnekus N88N8 Chris Butcher
(capt.) Theuns Stofberg F7F John Hall
Rob Louw F6F Peter Winterbottom
Rudi Visagie L5L John Scott (capt.)
Schalk Burger L4L John Fidler
Hempies du Toit P3P Phil Blakeway
Chris Rogers H2H Steve Mills
Ockie Oosthuizen P1P Malcolm Preedy
Replacements
Nick Stringer Sub on.svg
Coaches
Cecil Moss Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Flag of England.svg Dick Greenwood



Second test

9 June 1984
South Africa  Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg35–9Flag of England.svg  England
Try: Gerber 3
Stofberg, Sonnekus, Tobias
Con: Heunis 3
Tobias
Pen: Heunis
[4] Pen: Hare 3
Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
Referee: René Hourquet (France)
South AfricaEngland
Johan Heunis FB15FB Dusty Hare
Avril Williams W14W Mark Bailey
Danie Gerber C13C John Palmer
John Villet C12C Huw Davis
Carel du Plessis W11W Tony Swift
Errol Tobias FH10FH John Horton
Divan Serfontein SH9SH Richard Hill
Gerrie Sonnekus N88N8 Chris Butcher
(capt.) Theuns Stofberg F7F Peter Winterbottom
Rob Louw F6F John Hall Sub off.svg
Rudi Visagie L5L John Scott (capt.)
Schalk Burger L4L John Fidler
Hempies du Toit P3P Paul Rendall
Chris Rogers H2H Steve Brain
Ockie Oosthuizen P1P Gary Pearce
Replacements
Gary Rees Sub on.svg
Coaches
Cecil Moss Flag of South Africa (1928-1982).svg Flag of England.svg Dick Greenwood

Touring party

Backs

Forwards

See also

References

  1. "A little help from Hitler", April 14, 194, The Spectator
  2. "Where are they now? Bristol Rugby's glorious 1983 John Player Cup final winning side" [ permanent dead link ], July 11, 2015, The Bristol Post
  3. "Anti-Apartheid Movement Annual Report on Activities and Developments" Archived 5 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine , 1984, via Aluka
  4. 1 2 Van Rooyen, Quintus (1985). S.A. Rugby Writers Annual 1985. Verwoerdburg: SA Rugby Writers' Society. p. 47.