1974 lions tour results

50 Year Anniversary of 1974 Lions Tour

• June 08, 2024
• Ultimate Rugby

THE HISTORY 

They are not just an iconic rugby team, they are one of the greatest teams in world sport, ever. And today marks a very special anniversary for The British & Irish Lions.

Fifty years ago today, the legendary unbeaten 1974 team started their tour of South Africa.

They remain, half a century later, revered in Lions history and folklore. In 22 matches, they won 21 and drew one – the last Test match of the series – to become known as the ‘Invincibles’.

A feat that has yet to be matched, this Lions vintage heralded a new dawn for the Lions and laid the foundations for what they are today. Led by the brilliant Willie John McBride, this epic achievement is still regarded as the best tour in rugby history.

It’s what makes the Lions unique, special and unmatched. We are celebrating this incredible achievement and looking forward to watching the next chapter unfold in Australia next year.

This is why so many fans make the pilgrimage – in honour of the crest, the red jersey and their place in history. Your place awaits.

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Lions tour 1974

The Lions enjoyed their best-ever tour as they returned from South Africa unbeaten.

Sunday 21 April 2013 13:18, UK

The most successful Lions team in history travelled to South Africa for a bruising series but ran out victors.

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1974 South Africa

• Updated: 6th June 2012

Three years after triumphing in New Zealand the Lions faced a much stiffer test in facing a South African side who had not lost a test series that century.

The tour was a magnificent success with the tourists setting achievement after achievement by winning the series 3-0 and not losing a single game on tour.

The tour captained by legends Syd Millar and Willie John McBride, saw the Lions defeat the Boks by taking them on where their main strength lay in the forwards. By setting a platform for the backs to operate, the Lions runners attacked at will and with great success.

Despite the Lions attacking prowess the first test was won in desperate conditions with the Lions edging it 12-3. The Lions did regain their superiority in the second though, running in five tries with two from JJ Williams.

The third test however is now legendary for what was to happen on the pitch. The Lions knew what was coming with the selection of a bruising Number 8 at Scrum Half and it was there that the legendary Lions call of “99” was born where each Lion would immediately punch the nearest member of the opposition they could! The Lions emerged unbothered though and clinched the match and series by 26-9.

The final match ended in a 13-13 draw and therefore ended the first tour to South Africa in the 20th century that the Lions remained unbeaten in possibly the greatest Lions tour ever.

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When not writing articles about the latest issues surrounding the game, Ben spends his time worrying about the fortunes of his beloved Saracens. Ben is responsible for overseeing all output from the L-T.com team and often can't help himself from adding his own take on the issues of the day and has to pen his own article to stick his two-penneth in. Ben also runs our travel section and is a font of all knowledge about the tours having travelled as a tourist on all three tours. He can tell you everything you need to know about touring with the British & Irish Lions from how to get there and where to stay, to where you can hang around to spot the players and where you can get the best steaks in town...! Email Ben - [email protected]

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1974 British Lions tour to South Africa

In 1974, the British & Irish Lions toured South Africa, with matches in South West Africa and Rhodesia . Under the leadership of Willie John McBride , the Lions went through the tour undefeated, winning 21 of their 22 matches and being held to a draw in the final match, albeit in controversial circumstances. The 1974 squad became known as 'The Invincibles' and regarded as the greatest rugby tour in history. [1]

Apartheid backdrop and controversy

The 99 call, results summary, test matches, second test, fourth test, bibliography, external links.

The Lions tour took place against the backdrop of widespread condemnation of the apartheid regime. Under pressure from other African nations, the International Olympic Committee had excluded South Africa from competing in the Summer Games since 1964, and there had also been protests against visiting sporting teams from South Africa.

Several rugby players, like Welsh flanker John Taylor , took a stand against apartheid by making themselves unavailable for squad selection. [2] Gerald Davies declined the tour on his personal uncomfortable position at the consequences and realities of apartheid . [3] [4]

By November 1973, the United Nations had declared apartheid "a crime against humanity " [5] and in November 1974 South Africa was suspended from participating in the General Assembly. [6]

The Lions made one more tour during Apartheid (in 1980), and did not tour South Africa again until 1997 .

The test series was beset by violence. The management of the Lions unilaterally declared that in their opinion the Springboks dominated their opponents with physical aggression because of their famous size advantage, 'off the ball' and 'blind side' play. In the buildup games, and in McBride's previous tours of South Africa, provincial sides had tended to use their physical size, late tackling and dirty play to deliberately intimidate and injure Lions players prior to Test matches. McBride again saw this tactic of targeting certain players being used by the provinces in 1974, and decided that the ' 99 call ' (originally the '999 call' but it was too slow to shout out) was meant to show that the Lions were a team and would not take any more of the violence being meted out to them. It was intended to show that the Lions would act as one and fight unsporting behaviour with more of the same. The idea was that the referee would be unlikely to send off all of the Lions if they all attacked.

At the 'Battle of Boet Erasmus Stadium ', in Port Elizabeth , one of the most violent matches in rugby history, there is famous video footage of JPR Williams running over half the length of the pitch to launch himself at Moaner van Heerden after such a call. According to McBride, the 99 call was only used once, as it sent out the message that the Lions were willing and more than able to respond in kind and protect themselves.

• Manager: Alun Thomas (Wales)
• Coach: Syd Millar (Ireland)
• J.P.R. Williams ( London Welsh and Wales)
• Andy Irvine ( Heriot's FP and Scotland)
• Tom Grace ( St Mary's College RFC and Ireland)
• J.J. Williams ( Llanelli and Wales)
• William Steele ( Bedford and R.A.F. and Scotland)
• Clive Rees ( London Welsh and Wales)
• Alan Morley ( Bristol and England) as replacement
• Richard Milliken (Bangor and Ireland)
• Ian McGeechan ( Headingley and Scotland)
• Roy Bergiers ( Llanelli and Wales)
• Geoff Evans ( Coventry and England)
• Phil Bennett ( Llanelli and Wales)
• Alan Old ( Leicester and England)
• Mike Gibson ( North of Ireland FC and Ireland) as replacement

Scrum-halves

• Gareth Edwards ( Cardiff and Wales)
• John Moloney ( St. Mary's College and Ireland)
• Bobby Windsor ( Pontypool and Wales)
• Ken Kennedy ( London Irish and Ireland)
• Ian McLauchlan ( Jordanhill College RFC and Scotland)
• Sandy Carmichael ( West of Scotland and Scotland)
• Fran Cotton (Coventry and England)
• Mike Burton ( Gloucester and England)
• Willie John McBride (capt) ( Ballymena and Ireland)
• Chris Ralston ( Richmond and England)
• Gordon Brown ( West of Scotland and Scotland)
• Roger Uttley ( Gosforth and England)

Loose forwards

• Fergus Slattery ( Blackrock College and Ireland)
• Stewart McKinney ( Dungannon and Ireland)
• Tommy David ( Llanelli and Wales)
• Tony Neary (Broughton Park and England)
• Andy Ripley ( Rosslyn Park and England)
• Mervyn Davies ( Swansea and Wales)

In muddy conditions at Newlands, the Lions took a while to settle, conceding the lead for the first time on the tour before steadying to win the opening Test comfortably. [7]

South Africa : Ian McCallum, Chris Pope, Johan Oosthuizen, Peter Whipp, Gert Muller, Dawie Snyman, Roy McCallum, Morne du Plessis, Jan Ellis, Jan Boland Coetzee, John Williams, Kevin de Klerk, Hannes Marais (c), Piston van Wyk, Sakkie Sauerman

Lions : JPR Williams, Steele, Milliken, McGeechan, JJ Williams, Bennett, Edwards, Davies, Uttley, Slattery, Brown, McBride (c), Cotton, Windsor, McLauchlan

The Lions went in at half-time with a 10–3 advantage, thanks to two tries from J. J. Williams. The lead was reduced to 10–6 when Bosch scored a penalty early in the second half, but that was as close as the Springboks came. Thereafter the Lions took control, with tries to Bennett, Brown and Milliken. [8] It was up to that point the heaviest defeat in Springbok history. [9]

South Africa : Ian McCallum (replaced Snyman, replaced Vogel), Chris Pope, Jackie Snyman, Peter Whipp, Gerrie Germishuys , Gerald Bosch, Paul Bayvel , Dugald MacDonald , Jan Ellis , Morne du Plessis , John Williams, Kevin de Klerk, Hannes Marais (c), Dave Frederickson, Nic Bezuidenhoudt

Lions : J. P. R. Williams , Steele, Milliken, McGeechan, JJ Williams, Bennett, Edwards, Davies, Uttley, Slattery, Brown, McBride (c), Cotton , Windsor, McLauchlan

Following the humiliation of Pretoria, the Springbok selectors made drastic changes, keeping only five players from the previous match in the starting line-up. One of the most bizarre changes, however, involved bringing in Free State loose forward Gerrie Sonnekus to play out of position at scrumhalf, [10] a move which had disastrous consequences. In the opening half-hour, the Springboks produced their best rugby of the series so far, and the desperation with which they played prompted Lions centre Dick Milliken to reflect years later that he had "never experienced such intensity on a rugby pitch". [11] Much like the earlier match against Eastern Province at the same venue, [12] the occasion was marred by outbreaks of violence, such that the match has since been dubbed the 'Battle of Boet Erasmus'. The brawling was probably fueled by the win-at-all-costs mentality with which the Springboks were playing, as well as the resolution of the Lions players not to be cowed by their opponents' famed physicality. Despite the Springboks having the better of most of the first half, they still went into the main break down 7–3 after Gordon Brown snatched the ball from a lineout and crashed over the line in injury time.

After the initial onslaught, the Lions regrouped and as the Springboks began to tire, they took complete control in the second half. As the forwards began to assert themselves, the backs were able to launch attack after attack on the Springbok line. Winger J. J. Williams scored two superb tries; the first came from a brilliant one-two pass combination with J. P. R. Williams, and the second was the result of a brilliant kick-and-chase. [13]

At the end of the match, Lions captain McBride was carried off on the shoulders of Bobby Windsor and Gordon Brown. It was the first time since 1896 that the British Isles had won a series in South Africa, and the first time since 1910 that a touring side had beaten the Springboks at Boet Erasmus stadium. Danie Craven , the president of the South African Rugby Board, congratulated the Lions on their historic achievement, acknowledging that the visitors had indeed been "the better team". [13]

South Africa : 15 Tonie Roux, 14 Chris Pope, 13 Peter Cronje, 12 Jan Schlebusch, 11 Gert Muller, 10 Jackie Snyman, 9 Gerrie Sonnekus, 8 Klippies Kritzinger, 7 Jan Ellis, 6 Polla Fourie, 5 Johan de Bruyn, 4 Moaner van Heerden (replaced by De Klerk), 3 Hannes Marais (c), 2 Piston van Wyk, 1 Nic Bezuidenhoudt; Replacements: 16 Kevin de Klerk, 17 Malcolm Swanby, 18 Gavin Cowley, 19 Gert Schutte, 20 Andre Bestbier, 21 Rampie Stander

Lions : 15 J. P. R. Williams, 14 Andy Irvine, 13 Ian McGeechan, 12 Dick Milliken, 11 J. J. Williams, 10 Phil Bennett, 9 Gareth Edwards, 8 Mervyn Davies, 7 Fergus Slattery, 6 Roger Uttley, 5 Willie John McBride (c), 4 Gordon Brown, 3 Fran Cotton, 2 Bobby Windsor, 1 Ian McLauchlan; Replacements: 16 Mike Gibson, 17 Billy Steele, 18 John Moloney, 19 Ken Kennedy, 20 Sandy Carmichael, 21 Tony Neary

After winning the first three test matches, the Lions drew the final test in controversial circumstances. In the dying minutes, Irish flanker Fergus Slattery broke through the South African line and appeared to successfully ground the ball, only for the (South African) referee to adjudge it held up; the Lions couldn't believe it, and Slattery himself later stated to the British newspapers that even the South African players thought that he had scored a legitimate try. Moreover, the referee blew the final whistle four minutes early with the Lions still just two metres from the South African try line, thus preserving their unbeaten record, but denying them a tour whitewash. When asked about the decision afterward, the referee was said to have replied: "Look boys, I have to live here". [1] JPR Williams later recalled that he struggled to understand the elation that South Africans felt in drawing the match. [10]

South Africa : Tonie Roux, Chris Pope, Peter Cronje, Jan Schlebusch, Gert Muller, Jackie Snyman, Paul Bayvel, Kleintjie Grobler, Jan Ellis, Klippies Kritzinger, John Williams, Moaner van Heerden, Hannes Marais (c), Piston van Wyk, Nic Bezuidenhoudt (replaced by Stander)

Lions : J. P. R. Williams, Irvine, McGeechan, Milliken, J. J. Williams, Bennett, Edwards, Davies, Uttley, Slattery, Ralston, McBride (c), Cotton, Windsor, McLauchlan

The Lions previous series in South Africa had all been losses, apart from the drawn 1955 series.

South Africa had not lost a home Test series since 1958 against France. In their most recent internationals they had won series against NZ at home in 1970 and against Australia away in 1971. They won their subsequent series, against NZ at home, in 1976.

However, they had not played a test match for two years before playing the Lions. [14]

Danie Craven said the 1974 Lions were "the greatest team to visit South Africa".

Many of the players who also played on the victorious 1971 Lions tour to New Zealand believe the 1974 Lions team would have beaten the 1971 Lions team, due to having better forwards and because many of the 1971 players had become better players by 1974. [15] J.P.R. Williams has said that whilst the 1971 Lions back division could not be bettered, the 1974 squad was better at winning games. [16]

• Jenkins, Vivian (1975). Rothmans Rugby Yearbook 1975–76 . Brickfield Publications. ISBN   0-362-00221-5 .
• Reason, John (1974). The unbeaten Lions: The 1974 British Isles Rugby Union tour of South Africa . Rugby Books. p.   258. ISBN   9780903194020 .
• Thomas, J. B. G. (1974). The greatest Lions   : the story of the British Lions tour of South Africa, 1974 . London: Pelham. p.   175. ISBN   0720707862 .

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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.

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• 1 2 Mitchell, Kevin (3 May 2009). "The Lion kings" . The Guardian . Retrieved 7 July 2019 .
• ↑ Taylor, John (11 July 2014). "Lions and the fight against apartheid" . ESPN.
• ↑ Bills, Peter (17 July 2008). "Gerald Davies on the adventure of the Lions" . The Independent . London. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022 . Retrieved 3 May 2010 .
• ↑ Live, North Wales (16 May 2009). "Gerald Davies: A Lion's Tale" . North Wales Live .
• ↑ "International Convention on the Suppression and Punishment of the Crime of Apartheid. Adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 30 November 1973" (PDF) .
• ↑ Teltsch, Kathleen (13 November 1974). "South Africa Is Suspended By U.N. Assembly, 91‐22" . The New York Times . Retrieved 7 July 2019 .
• ↑ "Springboks promise a different result on Pretoria's hard ground" . The Times . No.   59111. Reuters . 10 June 1974. p.   11 . Retrieved 8 July 2019 .
• ↑ Jenkins, Vivian (23 June 1974). "South Africa handed beating of all time" . The Sunday Times . No.   7880. p.   21 . Retrieved 8 July 2019 .
• ↑ "South Africans rake over ashes of heaviest defeat" . The Times . Reuters . 24 June 1974. p.   9 . Retrieved 8 July 2019 .
• 1 2 Dolan, Damian (15 May 2009). "JPR Williams remembers the call of 99" . The Independent . Archived from the original on 1 May 2022 . Retrieved 7 July 2019 .
• ↑ Barclay, Tristan (13 July 1974). "Lions victorious in Battle of Boet Erasmus" . ESPN . Retrieved 7 July 2019 .
• ↑ "Kicking and punching mar Lions' brilliant victory" . The Times . No.   59099. Reuters. 27 May 1974. p.   9 . Retrieved 7 July 2019 .
• 1 2 "British Lions accepted as kings" . The Times . No.   59139. Reuters. 15 July 1974. p.   7 . Retrieved 7 July 2019 .
• ↑ O’Reilly, Peter. "Dick Milliken: The Springboks were physical and frightening – but they believed we were invincible" – via www.thetimes.co.uk.
• ↑ Willie John McBride , Ian McLauchlan , Ian McGeechen , Fergus Slattery , Chapter 24, Undefeated, Rhodri Davies
• ↑ Orders, Mark (4 March 2019). "The life of JPR at 70, a Welsh rugby great who was different from the rest" . Wales Online .
• 1974 British Lions tour to South Africa at Lions Rugby
• " The Power of Four "
• Living with Lions

The 1974 Lions tour of South Africa

• 16:04, 18 JUN 2014
• Updated 10:31, 19 JUN 2014

• Most Recent

1974 Lions reunite for anniversary celebration at Million Pound Lunch

The 1974 British & Irish Lions will forever hold a unique place in sporting history – and, 50 years on, 18 members of the famous squad came together to in an emotional reunion. [more]

The 1974 British & Irish Lions will forever hold a unique place in sporting history – and, 50 years on, 18 members of the famous squad came together to in an emotional reunion.

Led by captain Willie John McBride CBE, more than half of the playing squad joined forces near Belfast for the Million Pound Lunch – organised by Wooden Spoon – to celebrate the Lions’ only unbeaten Tour.

McBride and his team travelled to South Africa, to take on one of the world’s great rugby nations and, from mid-May to late July, won 21 matches out of 21, including the first three Tests to secure the series victory over the Springboks – a first in the 20th century.

All that remained was for the Lions to get up for one final game, the fourth Test in Johannesburg, which they drew 13-13. They were christened the Invincibles and became instant stars.

Every Lions team is special, but only one from the last century can claim to be invincible. This is the 1974 Lions side, led by Willie John McBride, that played 22, won 21, drew 1, and lost 0 in South Africa. It’s a journey that started #OnThisDay , May 15, with an opening… pic.twitter.com/Ih4eoaljcV — British & Irish Lions (@lionsofficial) May 15, 2024

The lunch was organised to mark a celebration of a major fundraising milestone (£1 million) for the Ulster region of Wooden Spoon and the players travelled from across the British Isles to reflect on one of the greatest ever achievements in rugby.

The June 20 event at Hastings Culloden Hotel saw the likes of McBride, Sir Gareth Edwards, Sir Ian McGeechan, Fran Cotton, Roger Uttley and Mike Gibson come together, with guest speaker Martin Bayfield.

“We had some real legends of the game all in the one room,” said Peter Wood – the chair of Wooden Spoon Ulster, who organised the day.

“When I made my speech, I said ‘today, ladies and gentlemen, this is a historical event. Not because of us at Wooden Spoon, but because we have so many of this old team in one place at one time’.

“They are the godfathers of modern rugby. They are held up very high, it is like the 1966 England World Cup team. It has never been repeated, and may never be. That is the analogy I always use.”

The 1974 Lions last met 10 years ago, but sadly some members of the playing party have since passed – and the likes of JPR Williams, JJ Williams, Phil Bennett and Sandy Carmichael were fondly remembered.

Just as he was a player, McBride was at the heart of proceedings. The 84-year-old is the president of Wooden Spoon Ulster and has worked alongside Wood for more than two decades.

“It is a lovely combination event, we celebrated two great achievements,” Wood added.

“It is 50 years since that team and to celebrate £1m raised by our branch is very special for us. Our president is Willie John, so it all fell into place.

“We also had people who didn’t come 10 years ago. That time, we did two dinners – one in Belfast and one in Dublin – but it is just one this time.

• READ MORE: Lions Legend: Mervyn Davies

“This has taken up 18 months of my life. I started contacting the Lions that long ago, and that is probably why we have got so many of them.

“If you are talking about people like Ian McGeechan, Franny Cotton and Andy Irvine, they are all very busy guys and have a lot of commitments.

“Sir Ian missed the last one, he went on a speaking engagement to the Far East and when I met him not long after, he said it was the biggest mistake of his life. It gave him the opportunity to see them again.”

The Million Pound Lunch raised funds that will help support Wooden Spoon Ulster’s ongoing projects, such as a new cabin for Ballymena Bears Disability Tag rugby club, and a sensory room at Belfast Children’s hospice.

Wood added: “I got involved on the periphery in 1996, joined the committee in 1999, so this is my 25th anniversary.

“Willie John is our USP. The other person who was involved as joint-President for some time was Dr Jack Kyle, a 1950 Lion.

“He was a treat to deal with, he was a gent. And so were The 1974 Lions. They’re special players, and special men.”

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