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HISTORY


The first attempt to introduce Rugby League in South Africa had started in 1953, and matches between Great Britain and France were held in Benoni , Durban and East London in 1957. The two teams did not take the matches seriously, and the promotion was a failure. In 1962 Wakefield-Trinity toured South Africa, defeating a South African Combined XIII 59-3 at New Kingsmead Stadium, Durban. Later that year Great Britain played games in South Africa, easily accounting for the opposition.

In 1963, the South African Rugby League "Springbok" team toured Australia and New Zealand . These tours were not a success and the game ceased to be played in South Africa until the 1990s.

Now named "The Rhinos", the South African team was re-formed in the early 1990s. South Africa have participated in the World Sevens (1994, 1995), World Cup (1995, 2000) and Superleague World Nines (1997) competitions.

South Africa were included as sacrifical lambs in the last World Cup in 1995. In 1995, the Rhinos, built almost totally on rugby union converts – were brought down to earth with a thud when Fiji ran them off their feet in their opening game, Fiji winning 52-6. They then had to line up against both Australia and England.

France hosted a three match tour by the Rhinos at the end of 1997, in which the South African players did extremely well, being competitive at all times despite losing all three games. In the very first test, played on a bitterly cold December day at Arles , South Africa put up a great effort and actually led at half-time before going down to a late French flourish.


RESULTS


South Africa Rhinos

  • France def. South Africa 48-8 ( 9 November 2001 )

  • France def. South Africa 44-6 ( 2 November 2001 )

  • France def. South Africa 56-6 ( 5 November 2000 )

  • Papua New Guinea def. South Africa 16-0 ( 2 November 2000 )

  • Tonga def. South Africa 66-18 ( 28 November 2000 )

  • Wales def. South Africa 40-8 ( 19 October 2000 )

  • France def. South Africa 30-17 (1997)

  • England def. South Africa 46-0 ( 14 October 1995 )

  • Australia def. South Africa 86-6 ( 10 October 1995 )

  • Fiji def. South Africa 56-6 Keighly ( 8 October 1995 )

  • South Africa def. Russia 22-12 (1992)

  • South Africa def. Russia 30-26 (1992)

  • South Africa def. Russia 16-8 (1992)

  • New Zealand def. South Africa 22-12 (1963)

  • Australia def. South Africa 54-21 ( 27 July 1963 )

  • Australia def. South Africa 34-6 ( 20 July 1963 )

  • Great Britain def. South Africa 45-23 ( 28 August 1962 )

  • Great Britain def. South Africa 39-33 ( 26 August 1962 )

  • Great Britain def. South Africa 49-30 ( 23 August 1962 )



South Africa Wild Dogs

In 2004 the South Africa Wild Dogs team was formed. This team is selected from South African players in the United Kingdom, and is also based there.

  • West Indies def. South Africa Wild Dogs 50-22 ( 9 October 2004 )



SEE ALSO