1980 British Lions tour to South Africa

In 1980 the British Lions rugby union team toured South Africa (including one game in Windhoek , South West Africa, the future Namibia ). The tour was not a success for the Lions, as they lost the first three tests before salvaging some pride with a win in the fourth. The team did however win all their 14 non-international matches. The Lions were captained by Bill Beaumont .

Political controversy

Touring party, injuries and replacements, second test, fourth test, external links.

The tour went ahead in the face of opposition from the British Government and groups opposed to sporting contact with the apartheid regime in South Africa. Britain was a signatory to the 1977 Gleneagles Agreement in which Commonwealth governments agreed to discourage sporting contacts with South Africa. The Government of the Republic of Ireland were also against the tour. The Four Home Unions committee which organises Lions tours decided to go ahead with the planned tour, despite this opposition, in November 1979 and the rugby unions of England ( RFU ), Ireland ( IRFU ), Scotland ( SRU ) and Wales ( WRU ) all approved the tour by January 1980.

Of the 30 players originally selected, ten had previous Lions tour experience. Derek Quinnell had toured New Zealand in 1971 and 1977; Andy Irvine and Fran Cotton had toured South Africa in 1974 and New Zealand in 1977 while Bruce Hay, Bill Beaumont, Allan Martin, Graham Price, Jeff Squire, Peter Wheeler and Clive Williams had all toured New Zealand in 1977. Elgan Rees, added to the party before it left the UK, and Phil Orr, a replacement during the tour, had also toured in 1977. Quinnell was selected despite not playing in the 1980 Five Nations Championship ; he had also toured in 1971 when yet to be capped by Wales.

The tour party was disrupted by an unusually high number of injuries and replacements throughout the 10-week-long tour. Eight players flew to South Africa to reinforce the original 30 tourists; Gareth Williams , Tony Ward, Ian Stephens, John Robbie , Phil Orr, Andy Irvine, Paul Dodge and Steve Smith.

Smith joined the tour as cover prior to the final test after Patterson was injured and did not appear in any games. Irvine was in the original 30 selected tourists but withdrew due to injury prior to leaving the UK. He was replaced by Elgan Rees but joined the tour later when Slemen withdrew.

Nine players left the tour early, including Mike Slemen who went home due to family illness. The eight players who were ruled out by injury were Rodney O'Donnell (neck), David Richards (shoulder), Gareth Davies (shoulder and knee), Terry Holmes (shoulder and knee), Stuart Lane (knee), Phil Blakeway (rib) and Fran Cotton (suspected heart trouble). Lane's injury occurred after 55 seconds of the opening game and gave him the shortest career of any Lions tourist. He never played international rugby again. O'Donnell's neck injury ended his rugby career completely. Colin Patterson suffered a knee injury in the penultimate game against Griqualand West which also proved career-ending. [1]

  • Manager Syd Millar (Ireland)
  • Coach Noel Murphy (Ireland)
  • Team Doctor Jack Matthews (Wales)
  • Rodney O'Donnell ( St. Mary's College and Ireland)
  • Bruce Hay ( Boroughmuir and Scotland)
  • Andy Irvine ( Heriots FP and Scotland) as replacement
  • Mike Slemen ( Liverpool and England)
  • John Carleton ( Orrell and England)
  • Elgan Rees ( Neath and Wales)
  • Peter Morgan ( Llanelli and Wales)
  • Jim Renwick ( Hawick and Scotland)
  • Ray Gravell ( Llanelli and Wales)
  • David Richards ( Swansea and Wales)
  • Clive Woodward ( Leicester and England)
  • Paul Dodge ( Leicester and England) as replacement
  • Gareth Davies ( Cardiff and Wales)
  • Ollie Campbell ( Old Belvedere and Ireland)
  • Tony Ward ( Garryowen and Ireland) as replacement

Scrum-halves

  • Terry Holmes ( Cardiff and Wales)
  • Colin Patterson ( Instonians and Ireland)
  • John Robbie ( Greystones RFC and Ireland) as replacement
  • Steve Smith ( Sale and England) as replacement
  • Peter Wheeler (Leicester and England)
  • Alan Phillips (Cardiff and Wales)
  • Fran Cotton (Sale and England)
  • Clive Williams ( Swansea and Wales)
  • Ian Stephens ( Bridgend and Wales) as replacement
  • Phil Orr ( Old Wesley and Ireland) as replacement
  • Graham Price ( Pontypool and Wales)
  • Phil Blakeway ( Gloucester and England)
  • Bill Beaumont (captain; Fylde and England)
  • Maurice Colclough ( Angoulême and England)
  • Alan Tomes (Hawick and Scotland)
  • Allan Martin ( Aberavon and Wales)
  • John O'Driscoll ( London Irish and Ireland)
  • Colm Tucker ( Shannon and Ireland)
  • Jeff Squire (Pontypool and Wales)
  • Stuart Lane (Cardiff and Wales)
  • Derek Quinnell ( Llanelli and Wales)
  • John Beattie (Glasgow Academicals and Scotland)
  • Gareth Williams (Bridgend and Wales) as replacement

South Africa: Gysie Pienaar , Ray Mordt , David Smith , Willie du Plessis , Gerrie Germishuys , Naas Botha , Divan Serfontein , Morne du Plessis (c), Theuns Stofberg , Rob Louw , Louis Moolman , Moaner van Heerden , Martiens le Roux , Willie Kahts , Richard Prentis

Lions: O'Donnell, Carleton (replaced by Gravell), Richards, Renwick, Slemen, Ward, Patterson, Quinnell, O'Driscoll, Squire, Colclough, Beaumont (c), Price, Wheeler, Williams

South Africa: Gysie Pienaar , Ray Mordt , David Smith , Willie du Plessis , Gerrie Germishuys , Naas Botha , Divan Serfontein , Morné du Plessis (c), Theuns Stofberg , Rob Louw (replaced by Thys Burger ), Louis Moolman , Kevin de Klerk , Martiens le Roux , Willie Kahts , Richard Prentis

Lions: Irvine, Carleton, Gravell, Woodward, Hay, Davies (replaced by Campbell), Patterson, Quinnell, O'Driscoll, Squire, Colclough, Beaumont (c), Price, Wheeler, Williams

South Africa: Gysie Pienaar , Ray Mordt , David Smith , Willie du Plessis , Gerrie Germishuys , Naas Botha , Divan Serfontein , Morné du Plessis (c), Theuns Stofberg , Rob Louw , Louis Moolman , Moaner van Heerden , Martiens le Roux , Willie Kahts (replaced by Ewoud Malan ), Richard Prentis

Lions: Irvine, Woodward, Gravell, Dodge, Hay, Campbell, Patterson, Squire, O'Driscoll, Tucker, Colclough, Beaumont (c), Price, Wheeler, Williams

South Africa: Gysie Pienaar, Ray Mordt , David Smith, Willie du Plessis , Gerrie Germishuys, Naas Botha , Divan Serfontein, Morné du Plessis (c), Theuns Stofberg , Rob Louw , Louis Moolman , Moaner van Heerden , Martiens le Roux, Ewoud Malan, Richard Prentis

Lions: Irvine, Carleton, Gravell, Dodge, Hay, Campbell, Robbie, Squire, O'Driscoll, Tucker, Colclough, Beaumont (c), Price, Wheeler, Williams

Related Research Articles

Scott Quinnell is a Welsh former dual-code rugby union and rugby league player who played in the 1990s and 2000s. He was a number 8 for Wales, Llanelli RFC, Llanelli Scarlets, Richmond and the British & Irish Lions in rugby union. He won 52 caps for Wales and three for the Lions, and scored 11 international tries for Wales and one for the Lions.

Liverpool St Helens Football Club is an English rugby union team formed from the merger of Liverpool Football Club and St. Helens RUFC.

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.

In 1971 the Lions toured New Zealand, also playing two matches in Australia. Despite losing the first match to Queensland the tour was a great success, the Lions winning the Test series against the All Blacks. They are still the only Lions side to have won a Test series in New Zealand. The side was captained by John Dawes, coached by Carwyn James and managed by Doug Smith.

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In 1983 the British and Irish Lions toured New Zealand for the first time since 1977. The Lions went down to a 4–0 whitewash for only the second time in history – the previous was also inflicted by the All Blacks on the 1966 Lions. Overall the Lions played eighteen matches, winning twelve and losing six. In addition to their four test defeats they also lost to the Auckland and Canterbury provincial unions.

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In 1977 the British Lions rugby union team toured New Zealand. The Lions played 26 matches, including four internationals against the All Blacks. They lost the series against the All Blacks by three matches to one. The team played as the British Isles in their internationals against the All Blacks and the British Lions for the non-international games. Unlike all previous tours to New Zealand, the Lions did not play any matches in Australia, though one game was also played at Buckhurst Park, Suva, against Fiji.

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The 1981–82 Australia rugby union tour of Britain and Ireland was a series of matches played by the Australia national rugby union team. The touring team played twenty-three matches between October 1981 and January 1982, winning sixteen games, drawing one and losing six. The scheduled final game, against the Barbarians, was cancelled due to heavy snow.

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Robert James Louw is a South African rugby footballer who represented South Africa 19 times in international test rugby union. He also played in the Western Province teams that won the Currie Cup five consecutive times. South African rugby chief Danie Craven rated Louw as "one of the best Springboks ever to represent South Africa", "fast enough to play among the backs", and a "superb ambassador for South Africa" due to "his friendly manner and attractive personality". Louw was nominated as South African Rugby Player of the Year in 1979 and in 1984.

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  • ↑ "South Africa v British and Irish Lions" . ESPN scrum . Retrieved 14 September 2017 .
  • Carwyn James and Chris Rea (1980) Injured pride: the Lions in South Africa (Arthur Barker)
  • Hopkins, John (1980). British Lions 1980 . World's Work Ltd.
  • Jenkins, Vivian (1982). Rothmans Rugby Yearbook 1981–82 . Rothmans Publications Ltd. ISBN   0-907574-05-X .
  • 1980 British Lions tour at Official Lions Website
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Spine tingling. An incredible welcome for us at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Thank you. #LionsNZ2017   pic.twitter.com/F1wA6hf6Qh — British&Irish Lions (@lionsofficial)  June 3, 2017
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Clive Woodward

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lions tour south africa 1980

The Test Series

Lions supporters

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The First Test

The build-up to the first Test is famous for Jim Telfer's Everest speech to the forwards and in the front of over 50,000 spectators in Cape Town it was Martin Johnson, Lawrence Dallaglio and Keith Wood who had the tourists’ pack on the front foot.

But it was Matt Dawson, selected ahead of Austin Healey following the injury to Rob Howley, who ended up dealing South Africa the crucial blow.

After an early exchange of penalties Os du Randt barged his way over for the first try but pin-point kicking off the tee from Neil Jenkins saw the Lions lead 9-8 at half-time.

Replacement wing Russell Bennett crossed the whitewash in the second-half and the hosts led 16-15 on the hour mark.

It was then that Dawson's incredible intervention,  a   solo run down the blindside   saw him break free   before a one-handed dummy fooled four South African defenders allowing him to score in the corner.

A further try from Scotland winger Alan Tait in the opposite corner with just a minute left on the clock saw the Lions seal a memorable 25-16 win.   

The Second Test

Jeremy Guscott

Try for the apprentice bricklayer

Lions in 1989

1993 - So close and yet so far

lions tour south africa 1980

Brothers in arms

McGeechan and Hastings

The Lions fight back to force a decider

Lions celebrate

Jeremy Guscott

The Decider

Lions squad 1993

1977 - Lions battle valiantly

Mike Gibson

Forward strength

Andy Irvine

Fourth Test victory slips away

1980 - Injuries hit Lions hopes

lions tour south africa 1980

Bad luck strikes early

Front row of the Lions 1980

The Lions roar on regardless

1983 - Lions face All Blacks

lions tour south africa 1980

Injuries hamper Lions progress

Early success

The Lions in 1983

1986 - The Lions take on the Best of the Rest

How the game unfolded

lions tour south africa 1980

The 99 Call

The Battle of Boet Erasmus Stadium

Willie John McBride

After winning the first two Tests 12-3 then 28-9 in Cape Town and Pretoria respectively, the Lions took on the Springboks on July 13 in what was later dubbed the ‘battle of Boet Erasmus Stadium ’.

The game is best remembered for its physicality but there was some great rugby played – some of the best of the entire Tour in fact.

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Gordon Brown

A huge pool of talent

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lions tour south africa 1980

A Test series on a knife edge

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lions tour south africa 1980

Tony O'Reilly comes of age

Dickie Jeeps

Success in Australia

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Impressive pack not quite enough

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lions tour south africa 1980

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Lions in 1966

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Third Test decides the series

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‘The perfect game of rugby football’

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Selection headaches

Scrum rules

A length of the field try

The second Test

On to Auckland

Destination Australia

1936 - A world record for Obolensky

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lions tour south africa 1980

The Springboks best-ever performance

A first Test win since 1910

The onset of War

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lions tour south africa 1980

An incredibly tight series

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A generation of brilliant Welsh backs emerges

A gamble pays off

Percy Bush: The Britishers' secret weapon

1908 - 'Boxer' Harding left kicking himself in New Zealand

Lions 1908

The allure of New Zealand

Farewell to Australasia

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Pillman superb through Test series

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1888 - The Touring tradition begins

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Good things come to those who wait

1891 - The first Test series

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1896 - Playing in the right manner as success continues

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Louis Magee and England full-back Fred Byrne were the stars of the backline, but it was an outstanding forward eight inspired by Ireland’s Crean, who played in every game of the Tour, that laid the foundations for success.

Fun and sporting play

The Test Series

A first ever defeat

1899 - A first Test battle with Australia

1899 Lions

Military Cross but no England cap

Lions' comeback

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  • 1980 British Lions tour to South Africa

1980 British Lions tour to South Africa explained

In 1980 the British Lions rugby union team toured South Africa (including one game in Windhoek , South West Africa, the future Namibia ). The tour was not a success for the Lions, as they lost the first three tests before salvaging some pride with a win in the fourth. The team did however win all their 14 non-international matches. The Lions were captained by Bill Beaumont .

Political controversy

The tour went ahead in the face of opposition from the British Government and groups opposed to sporting contact with the apartheid regime in South Africa. Britain was a signatory to the 1977 Gleneagles Agreement in which Commonwealth governments agreed to discourage sporting contacts with South Africa. The Government of the Republic of Ireland were also against the tour. The Four Home Unions committee which organises Lions tours decided to go ahead with the planned tour, despite this opposition, in November 1979 and the rugby unions of England ( RFU ), Ireland ( IRFU ), Scotland ( SRU ) and Wales ( WRU ) all approved the tour by January 1980.

Touring party, injuries and replacements

Of the 30 players originally selected, ten had previous Lions tour experience. Derek Quinnell had toured New Zealand in 1971 and 1977; Andy Irvine and Fran Cotton had toured South Africa in 1974 and New Zealand in 1977 while Bruce Hay, Bill Beaumont, Allan Martin, Graham Price, Jeff Squire, Peter Wheeler and Clive Williams had all toured New Zealand in 1977. Elgan Rees, added to the party before it left the UK, and Phil Orr, a replacement during the tour, had also toured in 1977. Quinnell was selected despite not playing in the 1980 Five Nations Championship ; he had also toured in 1971 when yet to be capped by Wales.

The tour party was disrupted by an unusually high number of injuries and replacements throughout the 10-week-long tour. Eight players flew to South Africa to reinforce the original 30 tourists; Gareth Williams , Tony Ward, Ian Stephens, John Robbie , Phil Orr, Andy Irvine, Paul Dodge and Steve Smith.

Smith joined the tour as cover prior to the final test after Patterson was injured and did not appear in any games. Irvine was in the original 30 selected tourists but withdrew due to injury prior to leaving the UK. He was replaced by Elgan Rees but joined the tour later when Slemen withdrew.

Nine players left the tour early, including Mike Slemen who went home due to family illness. The eight players who were ruled out by injury were Rodney O'Donnell (neck), David Richards (shoulder), Gareth Davies (shoulder and knee), Terry Holmes (shoulder and knee), Stuart Lane (knee), Phil Blakeway (rib) and Fran Cotton (suspected heart trouble). Lane's injury occurred after 55 seconds of the opening game and gave him the shortest career of any Lions tourist. He never played international rugby again. O'Donnell's neck injury ended his rugby career completely. Colin Patterson suffered a knee injury in the penultimate game against Griqualand West which also proved career-ending. [1]

  • Manager Syd Millar (Ireland)
  • Coach Noel Murphy (Ireland)
  • Team Doctor Jack Matthews (Wales)
  • Rodney O'Donnell ( St. Mary's College and Ireland)
  • Bruce Hay ( Boroughmuir and Scotland)
  • Andy Irvine ( Heriots FP and Scotland) as replacement
  • Mike Slemen ( Liverpool and England)
  • John Carleton ( Orrell and England)
  • Elgan Rees ( Neath and Wales)
  • Peter Morgan ( Llanelli and Wales)
  • Jim Renwick ( Hawick and Scotland)
  • Ray Gravell ( Llanelli and Wales)
  • David Richards ( Swansea and Wales)
  • Clive Woodward ( Leicester and England)
  • Paul Dodge ( Leicester and England) as replacement
  • Gareth Davies ( Cardiff and Wales)
  • Ollie Campbell ( Old Belvedere and Ireland)
  • Tony Ward ( Garryowen and Ireland) as replacement

Scrum-halves

  • Terry Holmes ( Cardiff and Wales)
  • Colin Patterson ( Instonians and Ireland)
  • John Robbie ( Greystones RFC and Ireland) as replacement
  • Steve Smith ( Sale and England) as replacement
  • Peter Wheeler (Leicester and England)
  • Alan Phillips (Cardiff and Wales)
  • Fran Cotton (Sale and England)
  • Clive Williams ( Swansea and Wales)
  • Ian Stephens ( Bridgend and Wales) as replacement
  • Phil Orr ( Old Wesley and Ireland) as replacement
  • Graham Price ( Pontypool and Wales)
  • Phil Blakeway ( Gloucester and England)
  • Bill Beaumont (captain; Fylde and England)
  • Maurice Colclough ( Angoulême and England)
  • Alan Tomes (Hawick and Scotland)
  • Allan Martin ( Aberavon and Wales)
  • John O'Driscoll ( London Irish and Ireland)
  • Colm Tucker ( Shannon and Ireland)
  • Jeff Squire (Pontypool and Wales)
  • Stuart Lane (Cardiff and Wales)
  • Derek Quinnell ( Llanelli and Wales)
  • John Beattie (Glasgow Academicals and Scotland)
  • Gareth Williams (Bridgend and Wales) as replacement

South Africa: Gysie Pienaar , Ray Mordt , David Smith , Willie du Plessis , Gerrie Germishuys , Naas Botha , Divan Serfontein , Morne du Plessis (c), Theuns Stofberg , Rob Louw , Louis Moolman , Moaner van Heerden , Martiens le Roux , Willie Kahts , Richard Prentis

Lions: O'Donnell, Carleton (replaced by Gravell), Richards, Renwick, Slemen, Ward, Patterson, Quinnell, O'Driscoll, Squire, Colclough, Beaumont (c), Price, Wheeler, Williams

Second Test

South Africa: Gysie Pienaar , Ray Mordt , David Smith , Willie du Plessis , Gerrie Germishuys , Naas Botha , Divan Serfontein , Morné du Plessis (c), Theuns Stofberg , Rob Louw (replaced by Thys Burger ), Louis Moolman , Kevin de Klerk , Martiens le Roux , Willie Kahts , Richard Prentis

Lions: Irvine, Carleton, Gravell, Woodward, Hay, Davies (replaced by Campbell), Patterson, Quinnell, O'Driscoll, Squire, Colclough, Beaumont (c), Price, Wheeler, Williams

South Africa: Gysie Pienaar , Ray Mordt , David Smith , Willie du Plessis , Gerrie Germishuys , Naas Botha , Divan Serfontein , Morné du Plessis (c), Theuns Stofberg , Rob Louw , Louis Moolman , Moaner van Heerden , Martiens le Roux , Willie Kahts (replaced by Ewoud Malan ), Richard Prentis

Lions: Irvine, Woodward, Gravell, Dodge, Hay, Campbell, Patterson, Squire, O'Driscoll, Tucker, Colclough, Beaumont (c), Price, Wheeler, Williams

Fourth Test

South Africa: Gysie Pienaar, Ray Mordt , David Smith, Willie du Plessis , Gerrie Germishuys, Naas Botha , Divan Serfontein, Morné du Plessis (c), Theuns Stofberg , Rob Louw , Louis Moolman , Moaner van Heerden , Martiens le Roux, Ewoud Malan, Richard Prentis

Lions: Irvine, Carleton, Gravell, Dodge, Hay, Campbell, Robbie, Squire, O'Driscoll, Tucker, Colclough, Beaumont (c), Price, Wheeler, Williams

  • Carwyn James and Chris Rea (1980) Injured pride: the Lions in South Africa (Arthur Barker)
  • Book: Hopkins, John . British Lions 1980. 1980 . World's Work Ltd .
  • Book: Jenkins, Vivian . Vivian Jenkins . Rothmans Rugby Yearbook 1981–82. 1982 . Rothmans Publications Ltd . 0-907574-05-X.

External links

  • 1980 British Lions tour at Official Lions Website

Notes and References

  • Web site: WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Colin Patterson (born March 3, 1955) . www.independent.ie. 17 December 2014.

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About: 1980 British Lions tour to South Africa

In 1980 the British and Irish Lions rugby union team toured South Africa (including one game in Windhoek, South West Africa, the future Namibia). The tour was not a success for the Lions, as they lost the first three tests before salvaging some pride with a win in the fourth. The team did however win all their 14 non-international matches. The Lions were captained by Bill Beaumont.

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2009 South Africa

Captain: Paul O’Connell – Coach: Ian McGeechan

The 2009 tour started out with fairly low expectations. The Lions were heading down to South Africa, home of the World Champions. Given the previous performance of the Lions against New Zealand which resulted in a comfortable “black wash” by the…

2005 New Zealand

Captain: Brian O’Driscoll Coach: Clive Woodward

With Sir Clive Woodward hot off the trails of a much lauded World Cup win in 2003, the board of the Lions were quick to appoint him as head coach of the 2005 Lions and to try and recreate that success. Brian O’Driscoll was recruited as …

2001 Australia

Captain: Martin Johnson Coach: Graham Henry

The tour to Australia in 2001 was coached for the first time by someone outside of the British Isles with Kiwi Graham Henry being appointed to lead the team down under. Martin Johnson was back for his second stint as captain and became …

1997 South Africa

Captain: Martin Johnson Coach: Ian McGeechan

1997 was the first professional Lions tour undertaken and the current World Cup holders South Africa were expected to thrash the Lions. Fortunately, captain Martin Johnson and coach Ian McGeechan had other ideas. The 1st test was a tight …

1993 New Zealand

Captain: Gavin Hastings Coach: Ian McGeechan

The last tour of the amateur age saw Gavin Hastings captain the side with Ian McGeechan as coach for the second time with Geoff Cooke as tour manager. England supplied the bulk of the players for the tour with 17 of the 30 players on tour …

1989 Australia

Captain: Finlay Calder Coach: Ian McGeechan

This was the first time the Lions had toured Australia since 1971 and the first time they had toured Australia exclusively for 90 years. Expectation for the tour was high and with Finlay Calder captaining the side, the Lions were expected …

1983 New Zealand

Captain: Ciaran Fitzgerald Coach: Jim Telfer

The New Zealand tour of 1983 was another tour to forget as the Lions went down to a 4-0 whitewash for only the second time in history. The tour captained by Ciaran Fitzgerald, coached by Jim Telfer and managed by Willie John McBride …

1980 South Africa

Captain: Bill Beaumont Coach: N Murphy

Lions skipper, Bill Beaumont came into the tour following a recapture of the Five Nations crown for the first time in 16 years and proceeded to lead the Lions on their whistlestop tour of South Africa in 1980. An injury ravaged side were …

1977 New Zealand

Captain: Phil Bennett Coach: John Dawes

Following their magnificent series victory in 1971 proved to be a bit of a tough act to follow. The 1977 tour to New Zealand captained by the Lions hero Phil Bennett, coached by the victorious 1971 captain John Dawes and managed by George …

1974 South Africa

Captain: Willie John McBride Coach: Syd Millar

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 …

1971 Australia and New Zealand

Captain: John Dawes – Coach: Carwyn James

This was the last combined tour of Australia and New Zealand, and saw captain John Dawes lead the Lions on one of the most successful and memorable British Lions tours ever. The first test saw the Lions pick up a 9-3 victory in Dunedin …

1968 South Africa

Captain: Tom Kiernan – Coach: Ronnie Dawson

Having suffered many series defeats against the Springboks over the years, the Lions were fully expectant of what was in store for them in this tour. Although the tourists suffered a 3-0 loss once again to the Boks, they left with pride a …

1966 Australia and New Zealand

Captain: Mike Campbell-Lamerton – Coach: J.D Robins

The 1966 Lions were talked up before the tour as being one of the best Lions sides ever, but in reality this Lions tour was probably the worst performance by any Lions team over the years. Even though they secured victory in Australia, …

1962 South Africa

Captain: Arthur Smith – Coach: D.B Vaughan

The South African tour of 1962 saw a return to the forward dominated style of rugby that had been so successful for the Boks for the past few years. Captain Arthur Smith lead the Lions into battle winning 16 and drawing 4 of their matches …

1959 Australia and New Zealand

Captain: Ronnie Dawson – Coach: A.W Wilson

The 1959 Lions squad was not only captained by Irishman Ronnie Dawson, but for the first time the Irish had a greater representation than Wales, England and Scotland. Starting off with two fine test victories over Australia, the Lions …

1955 South Africa

Captain: Robin Thompson – Coach: D.E Davies

The Lions touring team of 1955 set unprecedented standards in dismantling the aura of the seemingly invincible Springboks and endearing themselves to the hosts at the same time. The tour was lead by Irish Lock Robin Thompson and the …

1950 Australia and New Zealand

Captain: Karl Mullen – Coach: L.B Osbourne

The first post-war Lions tour saw the parties morale at extremly high levels, due to the extended break afforded to the players before the start of ther tour. The tour also marked the first occasions that the Lions played in their now …

1938 South Africa

Captain: Sam Walker – Coach: B.C Hartley

As the last Lions side to tour before the impending war, the tour in 1938 looked shorn of a number of its star players before the tour even kicked off. The party lead from the front by Sam Walker were staring down the barrel of defeat by …

1930 Australia and New Zealand

Captain: F.D Prentice – Coach: James

The biggest issues of the 1930 tour seemed to be the availability and injury of its key players. 100 players were invited to tour but the Lions could only manage to get 29 players on board for the tour. This tour was captained by F. D. …

1924 South Africa

Captain: Ronald Cove-Smith – Coach: H Packer

The South African tour of 1924 saw the tourists set out as the British Isles rugby team but return as the now famous British Lions. Bravely captained by Englands Ronald Cove-Smith, the Lions suffered on the hard grounds in South Africa …

1910 South Africa

Captain: Tom Smyth – Coach: W Cail

The 1910 tour to South Arica was the first tour to take a serious approach to its organisation. For the first time, all four unions were represented and the missionary work that was part of the previous tours was no longer required and so it was …

1908 Australia and New Zealand

Captain: Boxer Harding – Coach: G.F Harnett

In 1908 New Zealand rugby was beginning to come to the fore and this showed in the itinerary of the tour placing a greater emphasis on the number of matches played in each country. The tour was was captained by Boxer Harding and featured …

1904 New Zealand

Captain: Darkie Bedell-Sivright – Coach: A.B O’Brien

The 1904 series saw the introduction of the test series of matches for the first time. The tour was captained by scottish hard man Darkie Bedell-Sivright. The British Isles tore through the opening matches of the series with convincing …

1903 South Africa

Captain: Mark Morrison – Coach: Johnny Hammond

By 1903, the British tourists really knew they were going to have a battle on their hands when they opened up the tour with three bruising losses in the first three games. The side captained by Mark Morrison suffered badly at the hands of …

1899 Australia

Captain: Matthew Mullineux/Frank Stout – Coach: None

The 1899 tour to Australia was the first time all four home unions played together as the British Isles touring team. The tour was organised and captained by the Englishman Reverand Matthew Mullineux, who has the dubious honour of being …

1896 South Africa

Captain: Johnny Hammond – Coach: R Walker

The third British Isles rugby tour returned to South Africa in 1896 to find a stronger and more competitive rugby scene growing. Captain for the tour was 1891 veteran Johnny Hammond and for the first time the tour included six Irish …

1891 South Africa

Captain: Bill Maclagen – Coach: E Ash

The 1891 tour to South Africa was the first tour officially undertaken by the RFU and was funded primarily by the Western Province union and Cape Colony Prime Minister Cecil Rhodes. Due to the backing from the RFU the tour was initially …

1888 Australia and New Zealand

Captain: Bob Seddon/Andrew Stoddart – Coach: A Shaw

The first recognised British and Irish Lions tour ever was over to Australia and New Zealand and the side was captained by Bob Seddon. Tragedy struck the tour when half way through, captain Bob Seddon was killed in a sculling accident on …

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Tour De Force: The British Lions' Tour of South Africa, 1980

John hopkins.

256 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 1980

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1980 British Lions to South Africa Full Squad Team Group

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Rugby Union - 1980 British Lions Tour of South Africa - British Lions Official Team Group Back row (left to right): Colin Patterson, Dave Richards, Peter Morgan, Clive Woodward, Ollie Campbell, Mike Slemen, Stuart Lane, Allan Phillips, Elgan Rees, Rodney O Donnell, Jim Renwick. Middle: Gareth Davies, Terry Holmes, John Beattie, Alan Tomes, Alan Martin, Ray Gravell, Maurice Colclough, O Driscoll, Colin Tucker, John Carleton, Phil Blakeway. Front: Doctor, Graham Price, Bruce Hay, Fran Cotton, Syd Millar (Manager) Bill Beaumont, Noel Murphy (assistant Manager), Derek Quinnell, Peter Wheeler, Jeff Squire, Clive Williams

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Sport, Rugby Union, pic: 1980, British Lions tour to South Africa, Fran Cotton, the British Lions forward enjoying himself playing the African drums helped by native girls

Sport, Rugby Union, pic: 1980, British Lions tour to South Africa, Fran Cotton, the British Lions forward enjoying himself playing the African drums helped by native girls

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Sport. Rugby Union. pic: 1980. British Lions Tour of South Africa. Terry Holmes, British Lions scrum half. Terry Holmes was perhaps the best home nations scrum half of the 1980's, a Welsh international, he went on the Lions tours of 1980 and 1983.

Sport. Rugby Union. pic: 1980. British Lions Tour of South Africa. Terry Holmes, British Lions scrum half. Terry Holmes was perhaps the best home nations scrum half of the 1980's, a Welsh international, he went on the Lions tours of 1980 and 1983.

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IMAGES

  1. British Lions 1980 Tour in South Africa

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  2. John Robbie 1980 British Lions Tour to South Africa

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  3. British Lions Photos, Posters & Prints

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  4. British Lions Photos, Posters & Prints

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  5. Ray Gravell 1980 British Lions Tour to South Africa

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  6. 1980 British Lions vs Western Province (tour to South Africa) rugby

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VIDEO

  1. 1984 Lions tour, Australian Tests highlights

  2. 1980 Week 3

  3. Lion Surgery at Sibuya Game Reserve

  4. Newcastle South Africa 1980 @JahDestiny

  5. The Lions since the 1997 Tour!

  6. lions in africa

COMMENTS

  1. 1980 British Lions tour to South Africa

    In 1980 the British Lions rugby union team toured South Africa (including one game in Windhoek, South West Africa, the future Namibia ). The tour was not a success for the Lions, as they lost the first three tests before salvaging some pride with a win in the fourth. The team did however win all their 14 non-international matches.

  2. 1980 South Africa

    1980 South Africa. Lions skipper, Bill Beaumont came into the tour following a recapture of the Five Nations crown for the first time in 16 years and proceeded to lead the Lions on their whistlestop tour of South Africa in 1980. An injury ravaged side were easily defeated in the first test despite some first class goal kicking by Tony Ward.

  3. 1980

    South Africa 26 - 22 British & Irish LionsNewlands Stadium, Cape Town31 May 1980

  4. 1980 British Lions tour to South Africa

    In 1980 the British Lions rugby union team toured South Africa (including one game in Windhoek, South West Africa, the future Namibia ). The tour was not a success for the Lions, as they lost the first three tests before salvaging some pride with a win in the fourth. The team did however win all their 14 non-international matches.

  5. History of rugby union matches between South Africa and the British

    The Lions won the first two series between the two sides in 1891 and 1896, including wins in the first six matches, but then did not win another series until their unbeaten 1974 tour. After South Africa's victory in the 1980 series, the two teams did not meet again until 1997 as a result of apartheid sanctions; the Lions won the 1997 series ...

  6. 1980

    South Africa 12 - 10 British & Irish LionsBoet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth28 June 1980

  7. British & Irish Lions on Tour in South Africa

    The reason we love the British & Irish Lions tours, is because it is the last traditional rugby tour. The Lions have over the years played in some epic encou...

  8. Classic Match: 1980 Lions salvage pride against the Boks

    And despite the injury woes, none of the starting Lions 15 were debutants. South Africa had the momentum and kept a strong side, with the likes of skipper Morne du Plessis, Naas Botha and Gerrie Germishuys leading the Springbok charge. ... The 1980 tour marked the first of the short tours, where 18 matches were played in ten weeks. The morale ...

  9. British & Irish Lions

    The first Lions of the professional age saw the tourists travel to Rugby World Cup winners South Africa for the first time since 1980. ... While journalists coined the phrase 'Lions' in the 1924 South Africa Tour, it wasn't until six years later that the team left Britain as Lions in name, with a badge on their chest and a brooch in their ...

  10. Rugby Union

    Scrum.com's coverage of the British and Irish Lions tour to South Africa 2009. Live scores and the latest rugby union news and features. Menu ESPN. searchSportsTeamPlayers... Football Football. Home Home; ... May 31, 1980 : South Africa 26 - 22 British and Irish Lions: Jun 14, 1980 : South Africa 26 - 19 British and Irish Lions: Jun 28, 1980

  11. 1980 British Lions tour to South Africa explained

    In 1980 the British Lions rugby union team toured South Africa (including one game in Windhoek, South West Africa, the future Namibia). The tour was not a success for the Lions, as they lost the first three tests before salvaging some pride with a win in the fourth. The team did however win all their 14 non-international matches.

  12. About: 1980 British Lions tour to South Africa

    In 1980 the British and Irish Lions rugby union team toured South Africa (including one game in Windhoek, South West Africa, the future Namibia). The tour was not a success for the Lions, as they lost the first three tests before salvaging some pride with a win in the fourth. The team did however win all their 14 non-international matches. The Lions were captained by Bill Beaumont.

  13. The History

    1980 South Africa. Captain: Bill Beaumont Coach: N Murphy. Lions skipper, Bill Beaumont came into the tour following a recapture of the Five Nations crown for the first time in 16 years and proceeded to lead the Lions on their whistlestop tour of South Africa in 1980. An injury ravaged side were …

  14. Category:British & Irish Lions tours of South Africa

    1980 British Lions tour to South Africa; 1997 British Lions tour to South Africa; 2009 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa; 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa This page was last edited on 17 November 2021, at 06:55 (UTC). Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution ...

  15. 1980 B&I Lions in SA

    Footag of the second test between the 1980 B&I Lions and South Africa. Shows the 4 Springbok tries (Louw, Stofberg, Germushuys and Pienaar) as well as the tr...

  16. 24th May 1980, British Lions Tour of South Africa, Orange Free State

    Lions Dai Richards takes on the home defenders. Sport, Rugby Union, pic: 24th May 1980, British Lions Tour of South Africa, Orange Free State v British Lions in Bloemfontein, Lions Dai Richards takes on the home defenders (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images) Embed. PURCHASE A LICENCE.

  17. 1980 British Lions tour to South Africa

    21th British and Irish Lions tour. 1980 British Lions tour to South Africa Q739683)

  18. British & Irish Lions

    The 1968 tour of South Africa saw the Lions win 15 of their 16 provincial matches, but the team actually lost three tests against the Springboks and drew one. ... The Lions toured South Africa in 1980, and completed a flawless non-test record, winning 14 out of 14 matches. The Lions lost the first three tests to South Africa, only winning the ...

  19. Tour De Force: The British Lions' Tour of South Africa, 1980

    256 pages, Hardcover. First published October 1, 1980. Book details & editions

  20. 1980 British Lions to South Africa Full Squad Team Group

    Rugby Union - 1980 British Lions Tour of South Africa - British Lions Official Team Group Back row (left to right): Colin Patterson, Dave Richards, Peter Morgan, Clive Woodward, Ollie Campbell, Mike Slemen, Stuart Lane, Allan Phillips, Elgan Rees, Rodney O Donnell, Jim Renwick. Our beautiful Wall Art and Photo Gifts include Framed Prints, Photo Prints, Poster Prints, Canvas Prints, Jigsaw ...

  21. 1980, British Lions tour to South Africa, Fran Cotton, the British

    1980, British Lions tour to South Africa, Fran Cotton, the British Lions forward enjoying himself playing the African drums helped by native girls Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

  22. 1974 British Lions tour to South Africa

    0. 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 ...

  23. 1980, British Lions Tour of South Africa, Terry Holmes, British Lions

    Sport, Rugby Union, pic: 1980, British Lions Tour of South Africa, Terry Holmes, British Lions scrum half, Terry Holmes was perhaps the best home nations scrum half of the 1980's, a Welsh international, he went on the Lions tours of 1980 and 1983 (Photo by Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images) Embed. PURCHASE A LICENCE.

  24. 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia

    Schedule. The fixtures for the tour were announced on 19 July 2023. The tour will culminate with a three-match test series between the British & Irish Lions and the Australia national team, and will also feature matches against Australia's five Super Rugby franchises. The Lions will open the tour with matches against the Western Force, Queensland Reds, New South Wales Waratahs and ACT Brumbies ...