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7 unusual facts about South Africa national rugby union team


Gary Foley

Foley played an active role in organising protests against the Springboks in 1971 as a result of the Apartheid policies in South Africa.

Harry Vermaas

He is a versatile front rower who is capable of playing either at prop or at hooker and has also represented Leinster, the Blue Bulls, Boland Cavaliers, Pumas and the Springboks' Under-21 team.

National team appearances in the Rugby World Cup

The best result by hosts is champions, achieved by New Zealand in 1987 and 2011, and by South Africa in 1995.

RIOT 111

The group was formed by two political activists, singer "Void" and drummer "Roger Riot", during the South Africa national rugby union team's infamous 1981 tour of New Zealand.

Springbokkie

The drink derives its name from the team jersey colours (green and gold) of the South Africa national rugby union team, which is known as "The Springboks."

Thretton Palamo

He played his only match of the tournament in the 15-64 loss to South Africa on 30 September 2007.

Wolves of the Sea

The song is also very popular in South Africa, where it has become an anthem for the South African rugby team, the 'Springboks'.


Adam Ashley-Cooper

Against Italy, Ireland, USA, Russia, South Africa, New Zealand, and Wales at the 2011 Rugby World Cup Ashley-Cooper played outside centre (13), on the wings (both 11 & 14), and fullback (15).

Charlie van Renen

He made three appearances for South Africa, all against the British Isles, one match during the 1891 tour and two in 1896.

Estadio Malvinas Argentinas

It also hosted the home debut of the Argentina national rugby union team in The Rugby Championship (formerly the Tri Nations before Argentina's 2012 entry) against South Africa on August 25, 2012.

FNB Stadium

FNB stadium hosted its first rugby union match in 2010, the Tri Nations match between South Africa and New Zealand, won by the latter.

Glamorganshire Golf Club

The mounted head of a Springbok, presented to the Barbarians team after they defeated the South African national team in 1961, remains on display in the golf club’s bar to this day.

Grant L. Roberts

Roberts would team up again with Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman, playing Ruben Kruger, a flanker alongside co-star Matt Damon who portrayed team captain Francois Pinnear for the South Africa national team the Springboks that won the 1995 Rugby World Cup, in the 2009 film Invictus.

National anthem of South Africa

For the 1995 Rugby World Cup, Morné du Plessis suggested that the Springboks learn all the words of Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika, and "they did so with great feeling", according to their instructor Anne Munnik.

Penarth RFC

Gary Teichmann captain of both the South African International squad and the Barbarians, unveiled a plaque at the clubhouse to mark the event.

Roy Prosser

Prosser played 25 Test matches: seven against South Africa, six against New Zealand, five against France, three against Ireland and one each against England, Scotland, Wales and Fiji.

Stefan Terblanche

Terblanche played in 37 tests for South Africa, scoring 19 tries, including a South African test record of four tries (equalled with Chester Williams and Pieter Rossouw) on debut against Ireland at Bloemfontein on 13 June 1998, which he later bettered by scoring a then record five tries against Italy on 19 June 1999.

The Springboks' Waltz

It was released in 1906 to commemorate the Springbok rugby team's tour of Great Britain.

Wenceslas Lauret

He has also been selected to play for the French national team, he made his debut against South Africa in Cape Town on 12 June 2010.


see also