The New Zealand national rugby union team, commonly known as the All Blacks, represents New Zealand in men's international rugby union, which is considered the country's national sport. Famed for their international success, the All Blacks have often been regarded as one of the most successful sports teams in history.
The South Africa national rugby union team, commonly known as the Springboks, is the country's national team governed by the South African Rugby Union. The Springboks play in green and gold jerseys with white shorts, and their emblem is the Springbok, a native antelope and the national animal of South Africa. The team has represented South African Rugby Union in international rugby union since 30 July 1891, when they played their first test match against a British Isles touring team. Currently, the Springboks are the top-ranked rugby team in the world and reigning World Champions, having won the World Cup a record four times. South Africa have won half of the Rugby World Cups they have participated in and are also the second nation to win the World Cup consecutively.
Alfred Renfrew Richards was a South African sportsman who represented his country at Test cricket and rugby union. Born in Grahamstown, Cape Colony, and educated at The Leys School in Cambridge, Richards was capped three times for South Africa in rugby, including captaining them once, and made one Test cricket appearance, also as captain.
James Henry "Biddy" Anderson was a South African cricketer and rugby union player who represented South Africa at each sport.
Thomas James "Rusty" Richards, MC was an Australian military officer and national representative rugby union player, who was born at Vegetable Creek, Emmaville in New South Wales. Richards is the only Australian-born player to ever represent both Australia and the British Lions and as such the Tom Richards Trophy is named in his honor. He is an inductee to the Australian Rugby Union Hall of Fame.
Rugby union in South Africa is a highly popular team sport, along with cricket and soccer, and is widely played all over the country. The national team is among the strongest in the world and has been ranked in at least the top seven of the World Rugby Rankings since its inception in 2003. The country hosted and won the 1995 Rugby World Cup, and won again in 2007, 2019 and 2023.
James William Hook is a retired Welsh rugby union player. Hook has won 81 caps for Wales and is Wales' fifth highest all-time points scorer. Most often playing as a fly-half, Hook is known as a utility player, and has also played as a centre, wing and fullback.
Patrick Bernard "Nimmo" Walsh was a pioneer Australian representative rugby union and rugby league footballer, a dual-code international, who saw active duty with the Australian Imperial Force in the first World War. He represented the Wallabies in three Tests in 1904 and the Kangaroos in three Tests on the first tour of Great Britain in 1908–09.
Douglas Francis Theodore Morkel was a South African international rugby union player. He was one of Paul Roos 1906 touring Springboks.
Reginald Cuthbert 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.
Davon Stephanus Raubenheimer is a former professional rugby union rugby player. His regular playing position is flanker.
Bjorn Alberic Basson is a South African professional rugby union player playing as a wing or full-back for the San Diego Legion of Major League Rugby (MLR).
James Talbot "Chubb" Vigne was a South African international rugby union player.
Harry Churchill Boyes was a South African international rugby union winger.
Sydney "Syd" Ashley was a South African international rugby union player. Born in Cape Town, he attended Diocesan College before playing provincial rugby for Western Province. He made his only Test appearance for South Africa during Great Britain's 1903 tour. He played at centre for the 2nd Test of the series, a 0–0 draw in Kimberley. Ashley died in 1959, in Somerset West, at the age of 78.
William Alfred Henry Cotty was a South African international rugby union player. Born in Kimberley, he attended 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. He played as a scrum-half in the 3rd Test of the series, a 9–3 loss in Kimberley.
Theodore Stratford Samuels was a South African international rugby union player. Born in George, he attended Diocesan College before playing provincial rugby for Griqualand West. He made all three of his Test appearances for South Africa during Great Britain's 1896 tour, making his debut in the 2nd Test of the series. Playing on the wing, Samuels became the first player to score for South Africa in an international, scoring two tries in a 17–8 loss at the Wanderers. Samuels switched to fullback for the remaining two Tests of the series, a loss at Kimberley was followed by a victory at Newlands, South Africa's first as a Test nation. Samuels died by drowning after suffering a severe case of cramp whilst swimming in cold seas. Cape Town, at the age of 23.
Frederick Augustus Alexander was a South African international rugby union player.
Charles Edwin 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. He played as a forward in the 2nd Test of the series, a 17–8 loss at the Wanderers. Devenish died in 1922, in Kimberley, at the age of 47.
David Gill "Davey" Cope was a South African international rugby union player.
