Springbok Rugby History, Chapter 1

After this try Wessels, Scott, Smith and Devenish
dribbled the ball a long way and everything was set for
a dangerous movement, when Hammond and Hancock
stopped it, and started a counter-dribbling rush which
ended inside the South African’s twenty-five. Here a
line-out was formed in which Hancock obtained and by
sheer weight and strength forced his way over for an
unconverted try.
South Africa was not to be gainsaid, for Toski Smith
kicked the ball away from a scrum. Tiger Devenish,
following up, picked it up and passed to Aston, to
Forbes, to Samuels, who, with a great turn of speed, beat
opponent after opponent to score a great try, the first ever
to be scored by South Africa in a international match. The
next try came soon afterwards when George Devenish
passed to Aston who drew the opposition before passing
to Samuels who scored his second try, and one which
Cope converted. 13-8. The Britons now cracked on the
pace, and when Bell and Byrne broke through Cope and
Samuels · pushed them out in touch-in-goal.Then just
on time Mackie dropped a neat drop to make the final
score 16-8.
South African Team, Third Test
THIRD TEST
4 Tests
(6) South Africa, Saturday, August 29, 1896
Kimberley
South Africa 3, British Isles 9
Spectators 2 000
Referee: W.M. Bisset
The third international match was played at a
tremendous pace, and the result remained in the
balance until the last ten minutes of the game. The ball
was given plenty of air, enabling the three-quarters to
show their mettle. “Jones was pronounced the best
three-quarter on the ground. So he is when Byrne has
been mentioned! The British team attacked right from
the start, and only a grand tackle by Bertie Powell saved
the situation when he downed Bulger
near the line. Away sped the South
Africans, and Jones narrowly missed a
drop. Next the forwards took the game
in hand and only a smart defensive
play by Mackie saved the line. Again
it was the forwards who rushed the
line, Beswick being prominent. Here
Cotty obtained and gave to Jones P. Jones
who rounded off the movement with a
pretty try. Halftime: South Africa 3, Britain 0.
Second Half
Britain attacked vigorously from the kick-off, but Bertie
Powell, intercepting, broke away, and was tackled
by Mackie on the halfway line. From here he broke away
again to take play into the “25”. The British team now
started attacking with their backs and took play back
to the South African line where
Mackie obtained and scored
a good try. 3-3, converted by
Byrne ( 5-3) .
With the score even both
teams put everything into the
game and a very stern battle
ensued, luck favouring the
visitors when the redoubtable
Byrne put his side further in the
lead with a good drop which
won the match. 9-3.
FOURTH TEST
Broekies van Broekhuizen
South Africa’s First Win in an
International Match
The South African captain for the fourth international
match at Newlands in Cape Town, Barry “Fairy”
Heatlie, decided that his team will play in green jerseys
like those of his club “Old Diocesan Club” and it is from
this decision of his that the green jersey of the Springbok
was born which came in 1906-07 on the tour of Britain.
Barry “Fairy” Heatlie
BACK: T. Mellet (reserve), A.W. (Bertie) Powell, D.J. Theunissen, T.A. Samuels, C.W. Smith.
SEATED: M. Bredenkamp, P. Scott, A.M. Beswick, F.T. Aston (Captain), C. Kelly, P. Dormehl, J.J. Wessels.
ABSENT: P.S.T. Jones.
JF_Byrne
4 Tests
(7) South Africa, Saturday, September 5,
1896
Newlands, Cape Town
South Africa 5, British Isles 0
Spectators 3 500
Referee: A.R. Richards
Springbok Rugby History - 1891 - 1996 1903 ©Published by Johan Jooste - Oubokrugby - 2021
1903
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