1968 British Lions tour to South Africa

In 1968 the British Lions toured South Africa. The tour was not successful in terms of international results, the Lions losing the Test series against South Africa by three matches to nil, with the other match drawn. The Lions won 15 of their 16 non-international matches, losing only to Transvaal. The touring party was captained by Tom Kiernan, coached by Ronnie Dawson and managed by David Brooks. Star back Barry John broke his collar bone in a dangerous tackle in the first Test.[1][2]

1968 British Lions tour to South Africa
Date26 May  – 28 August
Coach(es)Ronnie Dawson
Tour captain(s) Tom Kiernan
Test series winners South Africa (3–0)
Top test point scorer(s) Tom Kiernan (35)
1968 British Lions tour to South Africa
Summary
P W D L
Total
20 15 01 04
Test match
04 00 01 03
Opponent
P W D L
 South Africa
4 0 1 3

As well as South Africa, games were played against South West Africa (the future Namibia, then part of South Africa) and Rhodesia (the future Zimbabwe).

Unlike the previous two tours to South Africa (1955 and 1962), this British Lions team did not stop off in Nairobi, Kenya, to play East Africa on the way home. However, one member of this tour party was later to play against that team; in 1975 Peter Stagg was living in Zambia and playing rugby for the Ndola Wanderers RFC when the Tuskers visited and he played for Zambia in their first international on 31 August 1975 at Kitwe. Six of the squad would ultimately change codes and play professional rugby league, they are; Mike Coulman, Ken Goodall, Keith Jarrett, Keri Jones, Maurice Richards, and Bryan West.

Squad

Backs:

Forwards:

Results
ScoreOppositionResult
Lions20–12 Western Transvaal Won
Lions10–6 Western Province Won
Lions24–6 South West Districts Won
Lions23–14 Eastern Province Won
Lions17–5 Natal Won
Lions32–6Rhodesia Won
Lions20–25 South Africa (Pretoria) Lost
Lions25–5North West Cape Won
Lions23–0South West Africa Won
Lions6–14Transvaal Lost
Lions6–6 South Africa (Port Elizabeth) Draw
Lions37–9 Eastern Transvaal Won
Lions22–19Northern Transvaal Won
Lions11–3 Griqualand West Won
Lions14–0Boland Won
Lions6–11 South Africa (Cape Town) Lost
Lions26–6Border Won
Lions9–3 Orange Free State Won
Lions40–12North East Cape Won
Lions6–19 South Africa (Johannesburg) Lost

References
  1. "Barry John: Profile". Lionsrugby.com. Archived from the original on 31 July 2011. Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  2. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/sport/what-it-takes-to-be-a-lions-captain-by-the-men-who-have-done-it-fhd35ppmg
  • Thomas, Clem; Thomas, Greg (2005). The History of The British and Irish Lions. Mainstream Books. pp. 141–148. ISBN 1-84596-030-0.
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