Biggest Fight in Rugby History? Lions vs Springboks 1974

[@Total_Rugby_6302]

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[@RugbyTestChannel-cf1ku]

The late JPR Williams - brilliant rugby player.

[@copferthat]

JPR was a doctor as well. When he told you to get better you did, or else!

[@speeddemon9555]

one of the best ever, a very gutsy player, arguably second only to Christian Cullen !!

[@Mzansi74]

RIP JPR!

[@Mzansi74]

​@copferthat And a great amateur tennis player. I have his biography called "JPR". Love from South Africa.

[@NickWard-f6l]

Can't split him and Serge Blanco ..JPR my favourite player of the golden Era .

[@tyelav13]

We will never see the like of JPR again, man for the trenches.

[@robertmiller2173]

Willie John McBride, Wow what a man……a great rugby player! This was a Great Lions team …….the Great 1971 Lions toured NZ , my dad took me to the Test in Christchurch, 65,0000 were at the game, I have never seen so many people at a game of Rugby in my life. We (NZ) were lucky…….sure the Lions won the series but they also taught us heaps. The 1971 Lions was the best Rugby Team to tour NZ, Period and stop!

[@Carlo42]

I was 7 and remember telling 2 builders that the Lions were going to win (I am Scottish, and moved to NZ when a nipper) and they bet me 50 cents that the AB'S would win. I was a happy lad :)

[@marcturner3647]

This was when Rugby was famous and this team was absolutely amazing

[@MindfulWisdom6302]

The Invincibles - perhaps the greatest international touring team in the amateur area.

[@patrickporter1864]

Amateur. Most of the Welsh players were semi professional

[@vantheman1238]

The Welsh players were not semi-professional that is absolute nonsense. The majority of them had very little and were working class men who had to work hard to earn a living. Absolute rubbish comment.

[@bobbytreetop1701]

Amateur in what way ?

[@bobbytreetop1701]

@@vantheman1238 JPR working class ?

[@ianarnett]

The best Lions team ever. And you see videos posted saying “the dirtiest test match ever”, completely ignoring this which was the biggest punch up and greatest load of thuggery ever. Times have changed but this will last forever.

[@rorysullivan4913]

Watched the first match on tour Vs Eastern Province. Besides the fighting what I remember best was Phil Bennet stepping and jinxing left right and centre cutting the EP defence to shreds. Great lions side. Bok suporter

[@bibap-uo2io]

I saw the mid-week team play Northern Transvaal and although they did not win by much, it was like watching professionals in a practice match.

[@skyewalker7773]

"The Boet" as it was affectionally called, was my home ground but unfortunately, it has been destroyed/dismantled & the FIFA soccer stadium for the 2010 world cup, used in its place. Eastern Province (EP) club rugby in those days was probably up there with the hardest in the world. The '95 world cup match against Canada at The Boet also witnessed Rod Snow(Canada) & James Dalton, Peter Hendricks(Boks) being banned for the rest of the tournament due to another "Battle of The Boet" breaking out. Even though EP produced some world class Bok legends like Danie Gerber & of late, Siya Kolisis & Rassie Erasmus, they may not have always won the game but the sure as hell won the fight. Never mind the "B" field after the game or the open "railway" stand. That was always entertaining on a Saturday afternoon. That Lions side was absolutely formidable with some of the greatest players in the history of the game, present. Those were the days....

[@simonhellier7281]

Funniest occasion was being a guest at the President of the OFS house and him telling me the 99 story in hushed voices. All great mates now…and JPR running 30 meters to throw a punch made Will-John laugh all these years later…

[@johne6479]

Rugby was a mans game back then, and that Lions team was the only other rugby team besides the AB's to adorn my wall as a young fella growing up in NZ

[@tullochgorum6323]

I once played Andy Irvine in a school match. He was already on the fringes of the national squad. He didn't need to punch anyone - he tackled like a thunderclap. I was black and blue after the match. I did manage to chip over his head for a try though - a happy memory...

[@SaffaFlightFilesFlightsi-pf9zy]

The 99-call and the many players selected by the Springboks is what I recall of this series.

[@bluestarfishmurphy6372]

It was a similar story in New Zealand when the springboks toured in 1956. There was so much trouble with the bok props getting away with mayhem in the scrums, out of sight. The later tests were sorted out by the selectors bringing in Kevin Skinner, who first played on one side of the scrum and once that was sorted switched roles and sorted that side out. Kevin was the NZ boxing champion and no nonsense after that.

[@tigerclarence1248]

What a great vid to watch cheers

[@Total_Rugby_6302]

Thanks 👍

[@Jon-bk2yw]

Here in NZ I can remember in the 1970s our older players in our primary school team (under12 years of age) calling for the lions 99 move for our games.also remember when we got to wear rugby boots for the first time (I was 11 playing in the under 13 grade at loosehead prop) we were allowed to ruck opposition players out of the way using our boots if they were offside on our side of the ruck,quite often we would also be rucked or stomped on the head, we'd all have ruck marks on our backs from the sprigs lots of gashes which we wore with pride

[@olwens1368]

Remember watching this on TV all those years ago. JPR- tough as they made 'em.

[@theofarmmanager267]

I’ve read a comment about it being “crap”. I don’t know what the writer would rather the Lions had done. Walk away? Step back? In those days. - I was an amateur player - the punches were just part of the game. It was a very different game of rugby to now. Better or worse? You make your choice. We used the 99 call at club level but (I hope) only in retaliation. I will admit to personally having got my retaliation in first but, as a prop who knew how open he was playing in that position to getting punched and kicked, I only ever did it to their face - in other words, I had to look them in the eye before I hit them. None of this cowardly kicking on the ground which would inevitably lead to the kicker being sought out for punishment. We also had real rucking. It didn’t hurt at the time (I broke 3 fingers and played on having had them strapped) but later! Getting into the shower with your back looking like the surface of the moon was agony. Only several pints resolved that issue. We had one player who had all the physical attributes and, in the dressing room, talked a good fight. But he was AWOL on the pitch. We did not respect that man. I think he got the message when someone put a liberal amount of linament into his pants. When he got out of the shower and put them on, he shrieked like a pig behaving its throat cut.

[@Total_Rugby_6302]

It sounds like you have some incredible memories from those days! Rugby has definitely evolved, and it’s fascinating to hear about how the game was played back then. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@Rundu1987]

I was 7 years old and its the first memory I have of rugby tests. I collected all the newspaper photo's.

[@JimmieCooper-le6vj]

I was there !! Fantastic Lions team !!

[@TheTigerOC]

Me too. I was a student a Rhodes and travelled down for the game. The Lions gave it to them, no holds barred. Never seen anything like it before or since. The usual team nominated to do the damage was Boland.

[@johnhanson5943]

The good old days of rugby! Even though we were well beaten by a great team in that tour. Please make rugby amateur again.

[@simonhellier7281]

Funniest occasion was being a guest at the President of the OFS house and him telling me the 99 story in hushed voices. All great mates now…

[@zimbok]

I was at the EP v Lions game. I was a schoolboy at Alex in Port Elizabeth.

[@ianbolan3488]

Rugby was a man's game in those days unlike today's players.

[@14067913]

Whenever the term; 'a man's game' is used it invariably seeks to excuse being a thug.

[@ronmexico1874]

Recall that this was back in the days before neutral referees and video replays and the South African referees always seemed to be looking in the other direction when a Springbok thug cheap-shotted an opposition player. The fact that the Lions had to not only overcome the Springboks but also the parochial officiating of the South African referees makes their achievement all the greater. Max Baise, Piet Robbertse, Gert Bezeidenhout.......and all the rest, were absolutely dreadful excuses for match officials. A shameful episode in rugby history.

[@nigelhamilton815]

Willy John what a man, what a player.

[@Total_Rugby_6302]

Agree!

[@BeautyinFlightDroneSafar-oq6fl]

More punches than rugby played?

[@lairdoharray]

Sometimes people only understand their own language. Good for the Lions.

[@starmersbarber]

I reckon the mentality expressed by Willie John had quite a bit of origin in the reaction to the terrible mess that was made of Sandy Carmichael in a weekday match in the '71 tour to NZ.

[@tonylove4800]

It was a Saturday match against Canterbury, the Ranfurly Shield holder at the time. And it wasn't just Carmichael, Ray McLoughlin had to go home as well. As a Kiwi but not a Cantabrian, I can say it was utter thuggery and a complete disgrace.

[@starmersbarber]

@@tonylove4800 Interestingly, it seemed to backfire and probably gave the Lions renewed focus and desire to succeed. Thuggery aside, I would love to have seen the '71 and '74 Lions tours in the flesh. Mike Gibson looked incredible in '71 and JJ Williams seemed unstoppable in '74. I'm Scottish...with the ABs and Ireland closest to my heart outwith my own nation. However, the Canterbury thuggery couldn't have won too many friends at the time.

[@tonylove4800]

@@starmersbarber I loved the 1971 Lions side. I can't remember in the past 60 years any player in any sport making the impact in NZ Barry John did. In fact, if I was picking my all-time touring team from all sides to have toured NZ, the 1971 Lions backline is the whole backline. Duckham over Bevan and Dawes a but lucky but a hell of a player still and what a leader.

[@starmersbarber]

@@tonylove4800 Aye, good call Tony. I have memory of the '74 tour but was too young in '71. I love the footage from '71 and the players talking about the experience in more recent times. I particularly enjoy Fergie McCormack (and others) talking about him getting the run-around by Barry John during the First Test. Oh to have seen that 'in the flesh' to see Barry John's virtuosy in action.

[@seamusweber8298]

Agreed Starmer: it did originate as a result of what happened in NZ in 1971.

[@dennissimpson7253]

WHEN U STAND UP TO BULLIES THEY WILL ALLWAYS GO TO WATER

[@karencarroll1324]

Rugby union needed something to make it watchable 😊

[@brianmason8597]

It's sad to see that the Boet Erasmus stadium is now a run down wreck. I spent many hours training there with the referees.

[@nutlangsworld]

The best Lions Team ever to Tour ! The Battle of Boet Erasmus ?? where have I heard that one before ?oooo ja, 1995 World Cup of course. PE is a rough place man....🤣🤣🤣

[@Total_Rugby_6302]

PE is a rough place indeed~!

[@nutlangsworld]

@@Total_Rugby_6302 🤣

[@lynetteguitarvanvuren8911]

The 1974 Lions were the best

[@johnnyholtzhausen3493]

The best cheating provokers and promoters 😢😢😢

[@JimmieCooper-le6vj]

O please !! They were the best ,like it or not !!

[@Carlo42]

Gordon Brown and Willie John. Don't mess with these 2 locks.

[@johnmanning5568]

Yet another video with the headline “most violent match ever!!”. I must have seen 100 videos with the same headline.

[@bremnersghost948]

Wonder which came first the 99 call in Rugby or the 99 Ice Cream? For sure most opponents went from ice Cold to Flaked when 99 was called ;-)

[@fedup3449]

Did you just set up your own joke? Haha🤗

[@Mzansi74]

The Lions had every right to do that. IMO, they were the greatest Lion team ever. It was the most disgraceful Springbok year in our history. I am glad that Willie John McBride and his team won. 😊 P.S. I am a proud Bok and incidentally born in 1974. 😮

[@ernieenslin4368]

Best Lions Team ever

[@arfajob4246]

NZ's favorite spectator sport. 😁😁

[@potsie7778]

That was the way it was when playing the Boks and if you think the dark arts are no longer in the South African teams you are deluded. It’s just harder to administer and easier to be caught by camera footage.

[@normanmcdermid1951]

YES....;but who actually threw the first punch.

[@BabyBoomerDad64]

Rugga op sy beste..! Laat my dink aan ons "Struggle bal' games in dié ou SAW en Seuns. Natuurlik mos altyd net die een bleddie reël nl, "julle mag mekaar net nie byt nie". It was bloody but NICE!!

[@charlestaylor9579]

All I see is British and Irish lions getting dropped like flies

[@johnfenechdoe3148]

I didn’t know the Springboks could fly 😜😉

[@harryf1ashman]

It's the cheap shots that do nothing for the image of the game. Anybody throwing a haymaker when the opposition player is not in a position to defend himself deserves scorn but if the players square up and throw a few shots in the heat of the moment then I think most people can understand it.

[@miketiller8430]

Can’t stand the kans

[@lengthmuldoon]

Could a match commentator misunderstand the situation any worse than the sanctimonious git broadcasting for the bbc? The entire uk fanbase was going "gerrin to them"

[@ashamed-n5n]

I’ve never met a nice South African……

[@M10-i6b]

Not surprised, you have never met any. Soutpeel

[@simonhellier7281]

Hard on the pitch but hospitality in SA amongst the best you will find. My privilege to play there for a year.

[@HereIam-rg3vy]

They should of kept the name British Lions

[@karlernstbuddenbrock371]

Wasn’t 3 0. We drew the last one 13 all

[@Mzansi74]

They won 3, we won 0. 3-0

[@DemonicAngelKiller]

i dont know who won but that was old school rugby for hard men not like today where faking injury like soccer players gets you the win

[@Total_Rugby_6302]

It's definitely a different game now! The toughness of old-school rugby is something that many fans still admire.

1974 lions g.o.a.t.

[@martybourke2428]

JPR smiling while admitting...hit anyone... yet when he lay on bail and was accidentally rucked , JPR couldnt stop crying til his sadly passing away.

[@mikestapley5697]

Are you referring to when Keith Murdock stamped on JPR’s head and opened his face up ? Accidental rucking indeed !

[@jonhall9000]

@martybourke2428 And in English please…

[@tommcg7564]

JPR absolutely belted Van Heerden - a thug - never did that again.

[@brucemack860]

"If they don't stop the nonsense . . ." You, toff, were as dirty as the next, and were dealt your up-commence. Well done on the win! Bet you retired quick-ass after that tour . . . . Good luck in 'Oz soon . .

[@Anti-terrorist3112]

Obviously an english program , very one-sided..

[@christopherking9439]

Wow

[@JohanLaubscher-ln5rg]

74 Lions, the best touring team ever!!!!! From a Bok Supporter.

[@RobRoyBoaz]

Shouldn't the title of this video be "Biggest Fight in Rugby Union History? You want REAL fights? Try Rugby League, mate.

[@Mojo16011973]

Thankfully Rugby has moved on from this crap.

[@expressoevangelism80]

@@Mojo16011973 Such a pity. I just love the inspiration of the talented players of that day, so much better than the rehearsed repetition of illegal scrummaging and kicks for touch of so much of modern day play.

[@karlwinder1897]

It's the British lions

[@breenwalshe7667]

You sir are uneducated.........

[@51elephantchang]

The biggest cheats and bullies in world rugby came off second best.

[@Total_Rugby_6302]

Biggest cheats and bullies - that is a wild claim to make.

[@robertmiller2173]

They would have been on Drugs!

[@JimmieCooper-le6vj]

Really !! The Springboks were just k...k .That Lion team had legends playing for them.And I saw it with my own eyes ,being there.And by the way,they were robbed of a clean sweep of the series,in the last test of 4 tests,with a draw.They scored a legite try ,but it was not given.The ref felt sorry for the Boks .

[@andrewlucas744]

A great team, but they should not have been there. Apartheid was reaching its vicious depths under the Vorster government.

[@johanweakley2658]

Yes, unlike the utopia we now live in with the country in free fall with a thieving ANC at the helm

[@kerriar]

None of these matches could be seen on television in Ireland at least - none of the technicians etc would touch them for broadcasting because of the way SA and apartheid were seen. Nice to be able to catch up 50 years later - but isn’t the manner in which rugby in SA has since been integrated with such success on the field and elsewhere one of the great news stories from those 50 years.

[@antonrudenham3259]

I read that during this tour the Lions were monkeying about and started a small fire in a hotel room and the hotel manager was called who threatened them with the police, WJ standing there in his underpants slowly removed his pipe from his mouth and calmly asked the manager "How many of them will there be"?😦

[@Total_Rugby_6302]

Sounds like the Lions were just trying to add a little "spark" to their tour! I guess they took "playing with fire" a bit too literally! 😂

[@kimgriffiths4153]

Could not win with skill so resorted to thuggery. National party tactics.

[@troyocarroll]

Your so outta context, Sth Africa used thuggery as part of their arsenal so that's why the Lion's created the "99" call, it also negated the "home" refereeing. The Lion's won the series 3w, 1d no losses, pretty sure they played rugby in there as well.

[@kimgriffiths4153]

I was referring to the South Africans.

[@expressoevangelism80]

JPR was ready to take them all on by himself.

[@kimgriffiths4153]

Decked Moaner van Heerden who was renowned for dirty play.

[@JimmieCooper-le6vj]

That Lions team had more skills than you will ever dream of.They ran circles around the Boks,and when the Boks got naar,and wanted to fight,they were moerd !! And i am from SA .I was there,that match,and the Boks looked like children,playing against men.Best Lions side ever.