South Africa 1891 Rugby Shirt

The South Africa national rugby union team, commonly known as the Springboks, is governed by the South African Rugby Union.

The team has been representing South Africa in international rugby union since 1891 when they played their first test match against a British Isles touring team.

This first tour took place on 30 July at Diocesan College. The tourists won all twenty matches they played, conceding only one point. The British Isles’ success continued on their tour of 1896, winning three out of four tests against South Africa. South Africa’s play greatly improved from 1891, and their first test win in the final game was a pointer to the future.

In 1903 the British Isles lost a series for the first time in South Africa, drawing the opening two tests before losing the last 8–0. Rugby was given a huge boost by the early Lions tours, which created great interest in the South African press. South Africa would not lose another series home or away until 1956.

The first South African team to tour the British Isles and France occurred during 1906–07. The team played tests against all four Home Nations. England managed a draw, but Scotland was the only one of the Home Unions to gain a victory. The South Africans played an unofficial match against a ‘France’ team while the official French team were in England; the Springboks won 55–6. It was during this tour that the nickname Springboks was first used.

Although South Africa was instrumental in the creation of the Rugby World Cup competition, the Springboks did not compete in the first two World Cups in 1987 and 1991 because of anti-apartheid sporting boycotts of South Africa. The team made its World Cup debut in 1995 when the newly democratic South Africa hosted the tournament. The Springboks defeated the All Blacks 15–12 in the final, which is now remembered as one of the greatest moments in South Africa’s sporting history, and a watershed moment in the post-Apartheid nation-building process. South Africa regained their title as champions 12 years later, when they defeated England 15–6 in the 2007 final. As a result of the 2007 World Cup tournament the Springboks were promoted to first place in the IRB World Rankings, a position they held until July the following year when New Zealand regained the top spot.

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