South Africa v. British & Irish Lions 1974

The British and Irish Lions' unbeaten tour of South Africa in 1974. Highlights of the four test matches, with analysis, commentary and an interview with Lions legend Gareth Edwards.

[@Round_07]

Here to see JJ Williams in his finest hour after his sad passing.

[@huwzebediahthomas9193]

Too young too, really. 😐

[@jonbennett8336]

Watching this again today after Phil Bennett passed, what a fabulous player shone bright in a team of legends.

[@suffern63]

A fitting game to watch his genius

[@lesliestrydom4157]

It can be safely stated that the best flyhalf play ever produced on South African soil was by Phil Bennett during the tour of the 1974 British Lions. It was sheer genius. It was befittingly clearly illustrated when he started running from his own 25 in the 3rd test in Port Elizabeth to manufacture the try which put the test and the series beyond SA's reach. It suddenly dawned that the Springboks lost a home series for the first time ever. A genius who stepped into the big boots of the brilliant Cliff Morgan of the 1955 Lions. They will never be forgotten here in SA. We express our deepest condolences to his family and friends and his team mates over many seasons on his demise. He made sure that we can celebrate his life.

[@lesliestrydom4157]

Sorry , I referred to the second test when Phil Bennett scored one of the top tries of the series.

[@jamolee26091981]

That's a massive call, considering the man he replaced.

[@liliamaeve]

The greatest team ever to leave these shores, it was a privilege to see these players play.

[@jacqloock]

True, in fact. Speaking as a Saffa authoritee.

[@nathanwilliams2152]

Certainly the toughest. The 1971 Lions who went to NZ, won the test series and went around the provinces unbeaten, ran them close though.

[@stephenreeds3632]

They should never have gone. Apartheid continued for 20 years.

[@alanferreira6919]

Agreed, watched them in Port Elizabeth South Africa as a little 11 year old boy, unbelievable talent. Greatest rugby team ever assembled.

[@eddieingalls534]

What incredible speed some of these players had. Beating SA in SA under the apartheid days was one of the hardest things to do in sport, yet this group of Lions won and won big. Immense.

[@zahiermezichel8348]

I was a 12 year old kid back then. Those Lions were magnificent!!! 🔥 🔥 🔥

[@-NemoMeImpuneLacessit]

A team full of legendary names. JJ, JPR, (the Williams), Fergus Slattery, Andy Irvine, Gareth Edwards, the sublime Phil Bennett, Willie John, Big Fran. These players and those not mentioned caused me to love the game.

[@tollyt7465]

Shows what a great side they were that Andy Irvine couldn't get into the test team.. If you can leave Irvine out you're a special side..

[@-NemoMeImpuneLacessit]

@@tollyt7465 yeah but he was up against JPR.

[@tollyt7465]

@@-NemoMeImpuneLacessit yeah I know.. I was just making the point that the 74 lions were just an unbelievable squad.. I don't think there's been a squad of players with that much talent from any side in the world..

[@TjakaErasmus]

The second test in Pretoria. I was there. I was only 12 years old. One of the greatest moments of my life. Something you never forget.

[@seamanjive]

I was there at the last drawn Test. 18 yes old English bloke training in mine management in Evander. No TV in SA in those days...they used to bring reel to reel film out to the mine and we watched it on bioscope

[@user-te3jc3sl7r]

What a mighty ream the 1974 Lions were. Great forwards like Cotton, Brown, and Slattery and great backs like Bennett and JPR Williams, But the master of the team was Gareth Edwards who the Boks couldn't contain.

[@thadtuiol1717]

Back when men who had day jobs as steel workers (Phil Bennet) would play international sport and be heroes. I bloody miss those days, we won't see their like again.

[@tonymurphy9795]

Same here.

[@GodSaveOurTeam]

Marvellous footage - bless you for a brilliant upload!

[@isitwasit8756]

11and a half minutes of pure magical rugby from a lions side blessed with backs that had genuine pace skill vision and flair playing heads up rugby

[@fredgovani6480]

RIP Phil Bennett - The greatest No 10 ever, just eding Barry Jon - In my book. What a great playe!!

[@cenyddbartlett4177]

Great watching the Springboks running off the park in shame at the end of the 3rd Test. Beaten badly by probably the best touring side ever.

[@patrickmccutcheon9361]

Slattery’s try was good. The referee disallowed it to avoid a fourth defeat for the Boks.

[@artyschopy]

So nice! Helluva team came out from the islands in 74. Thanks for posting

[@user-jn7tc3tp2x]

Hi There The 1974 British Lions were undefeated, and they were the most feared side in the world. I have a Rugby Program of the old Eastern Province Rugby, where they faced the 1974 British lions. Regards Gerann

[@rorybrennan360]

And Irish.

[@rorybrennan360]

@Johnny Cash maybe across the water but.not here.i even heard Martin Johnston last weekend calling them the british lions.

[@rorybrennan360]

@Johnny Cash yes,your right.

[@mattmccann8805]

Best rugby thing on youtube. By a distance.

[@antonyhobbs1144]

the golden age of Rugby

[@gregbooth1551]

Phil Bennett was an absolute legend, and more importantly a gentleman. Aroha from New Zealand.

[@busawulf]

They changed the face of British rugby. Utmost respect.

[@alisonhandley2484]

ITubaUTuba sx

[@tollyt7465]

@@pu57tango84 you must be about 12 years old.. The 73 Barbarians, and 74 lions, ostensibly the same teams, are credited with changing the way rugby was played throughout the world.. Even the AB's were in awe of that side and modelled their game on them.. They've admitted that on many occasions..

[@rorybrennan360]

IRISH.

[@michaelwallace8861]

How masterful and brilliant G. Edwards & P. Bennett were! Joy to watch even today! Ref has live with his shame & bias I suppose.

[@robbryant52]

Brilliant team Best ever

[@mackindle12345]

6:48 - that is some kick!!!

[@harryhopworthy9600]

A marvellous display of the Rugby Union game by the British Lions.

[@rorybrennan360]

Dont forget the Captains country.

[@ArchieFatcackie]

That was just magical.

[@antonyhobbs1144]

One of the greatest teams ever

[@MrRugbylane]

I coach a team of U13s. We try to encourage the young lads to play like this; with joy and adventure and without fear.

[@seanronan405]

Who asked

[@brendanpage3369]

Do you have a 99 call?

[@MrRugbylane]

@@brendanpage3369 Yeah - it means putting a chocolate flake in your in your ice cream cone.

[@brendanpage3369]

Considering those boys are now twenty, you’ve done well to keep them together, and enjoying their chocolate. I managed to coach schoolboy rugby for over 35 years without ever mentioning the 1974 Lions.

[@MKRM27]

@@brendanpage3369 That was your choice.

[@Pihasanddunes1]

Still think Edwards was the best scrumhalf I've ever seen. Interestingly, John Reason, in his book about the 74 tour didn't rate this side as the equal of the 71 Lions and the 70/71 Welsh teams, which had better backlines overall, and a more expansive vision. Still, you wouldn't want to come up against that pack, complemented with Edwards and Bennett and JPR.

[@donallally4892]

Don't forget the great Commentators Nigel Starmer Smith, Cliff Morgan, Bill McClaren, Fred Cogley and Jim Sherwin

[@michaelbrown984]

Phil Bennet what a player.. let alone the rest of that great group of players..

[@MANDREW33]

Followed every match of their tour. Made a scrap book with every players names, tries newspaper cuttings etc. Think I still remember every player names and positions. And there was no TV in those days. Truly are great team.

[@gow03333]

Good morning, I knew the same of the pontypool side of the 80s. If you are like me you can't remember what you had for tea yesterday 😂😂

[@shaunkenn]

The scrums just happened quickly and worked. JJ was so fast!

[@Mr1979flapjack]

Phil Bennett, you were unbelievable.

[@MOGGS1942]

+Mr1979flapjack The jinking genius.

[@johnhanson5943]

I was a little Springbok in those days - even though born in Britain. Wasn’t sad losing to these Lions.

[@jpowell2603]

Back in the days when men were Farmers steel workers or builders they were tough as nails wow!👏👏💯

[@MOGGS1942]

"Ah,that man Edwards".

[@GeordieBoy1955]

Today’s great penalty kickers could take a lesson from Phil Bennett as to how to take a penalty kick quickly.

[@hedleyblane8619]

From a hole in the ground!

[@robertevans8010]

J J Williams of Nantyfyllon a brilliant Winger and Centre

[@nelsonbenjamin4754]

I was crying while listening to this game with radio/wireless to my ear

[@SuperEdge67]

Someone forgot to water the pitch.......for 6 months.

[@marcevans6545]

What happened to the groundman in the first test? Did he go on strike that week? Great team. One of the all-time best from the British Isles.

[@grumpyofleighuncle5665]

Has any player stirred the blood like Edwards & Bennett since those days? Certainly not for me (and I'm English)

[@Nicktheguvnor]

Jason Robinson for England perhaps.....a total one off

[@grumpyofleighuncle5665]

@@Nicktheguvnor Yes perhaps I'll give you that - a once in a gen as they were. But for me there was something about those amateur days...

[@Round_07]

Edwards, Bennett, JPR, JJ (RIP 🙏) were the reason I wanted to play rugby as a youngster...and I’m English too

[@Nicktheguvnor]

@@Round_07 Some great players in the pack too - the Boks were pretty fearsome up front back then but the Lions never took a backward step and matched them all the way.........

[@Round_07]

@@Nicktheguvnor agree 100%. I guess as a child I only saw the ‘glory’ players. Having played, and being older and wiser I appreciate that Willie John, Fran Cotton, Merve the serve, etc. deserve equal respect 👍

[@jenky621]

They were called the British Isles and Ireland with the nickname of the British Lions, calling them anything different prior to 2001 is rewriting decades of glorious Lions history, this is from an Ireland and Lions supporter.

[@johnwalsh8016]

chanctonbury63 Because the Irish aren't lions!

[@carbonenterprises1216]

john Walsh Er, what are they?

[@MarsFKA]

+chanctonbury63 I agree with everything you said. Back in 1974, they were simply The Lions and the teams of 1971 and 1974 were the best that ever toured. The first time I saw the Lions was in their 1959 tour of New Zealand. They were a hell of a good team and I saw them play Bay of Plenty/Thames Valley Combined, who nearly beat them, and the Fourth Test against the All Blacks, who never came close. In those days, they were simply The Lions and when they toured NZ, it was a world-stopping event. Calling them by their new politically correct name is simply bullshit.

[@tonylove4800]

They were called the British Isles - a purely geographical term just like the Irish Sea - or, more popularly, the Lions.

[@lakeahchong3833]

JPR, GERALD DAVIES, GARETH EDWARDS, PHI BENNETT, BARRY JOHN - ARE WE EVER GONNA SEE THE LIKES OF THEM AGAIN?

[@mizofan]

and JJ was at his peak here, superb also v Australia in easy win for Wales.

[@hendrikdegoede981]

Unbelievable team this Lions team!!!

[@philipmarsden7104]

Yes, they were! There's something almost pitiful about a great rugby nation, SA, celebrating the scoring of a single,solitary try, like they would have celebrated a series win.

[@Slappies007]

The best of the best Lions team ever, full stop ✋

[@mizofan]

2:47 What a drop goal by Edwards, the complete scrum half.

[@salimtufail]

mizofan More than a top player. A powerhouse.

[@jon780249]

Great team. Phil Bennett!!! Unbelievable.

[@horrortackleharry]

Four tests- one decent pitch!

[@antonrudenham3259]

The Lions are something special eh? To be selected to play for your country is a high accolade indeed but to be asked to play for five countries must be beyond measure, it must in fact be five times as good. I often wonder how a southern hemisphere 'Lions' side would fare in the North, I also ponder on whether France should be part of the Lions ethos, they might not like the title and may want it changed but hey, fair enough. The Lions help bring together often disparate countries and this 74 tour epitomises what can be achieved through the vehicle of sport, at a time when the troubles in Northern Ireland were reaching a terribly ferocious level we see sportsmen from Ireland and the UK coming together with one singular aim, no politics, none of that bollocks just rugby.

[@paulreynolds6554]

Did you notice how the blacks in the crowd were cheering the Lions tries and victories!thank got there as one now.

[@JonathanNichollsjono]

WE WUZ VIKANGS!!! n shiet. Lies because all races in South Africa are being killed. So you only want to acknowledge the whites being killed. You still think like you did in the Apartheid era. Non-white lives also matter.

[@keithcaldwell7657]

Maybe because the lions went to a lot of black schools and gave lessons and demonstrations to the black kids

[@DavidBakerSA]

@@keithcaldwell7657 No. Same in 1976 with the ABs. Understandably black people chose the opposition because they played their oppressors. Most flipped immediately to the Boks upon democracy

[@huwzebediahthomas9193]

Rest in peace Benny 😑😒😐

[@airzulu2733]

Greatest British Lions tour ever. I was lucky enough to see them play in south africa . World class even the All Blacks would of struggled against the Lions . And belive me the South Africans had great provincial sides to the Boks. Hard as nails were the Boers .

[@rorybrennan360]

Were the Irish not part of that tour.

[@MrRugbylane]

The Lions is not about "States"; its about people. Uniquely it joins together the people of the Western Isles (or if your prefer - the British Isles). It brings together the Irish, English, Scots and Welsh in a unique joint endeavour.

[@MrRugbylane]

@SavageArfad British Isles is just a geographical term. Its like "North America" of which Canada and Mexico are part.

[@lynottlives]

Stephen Lane its not really the same thing. America is the name of the continent. It’s not as if Canadians are upset because it’s associated with the USA, the word there being repeated is coincidental. That’s not the case with the term British Isles. it’s widely considered offensive and imperialistic by Irish people, as it could suggest either a sense of ownership by Britain over ireland etc. It may seem silly but with our history, it must be respected. Atlantic archipelago, british-Irish isles or ‘these islands’ are preferred,

[@MrRugbylane]

@@lynottlives Hey Evan, I appreciate the detailed reply (even if it took seven years!) and yes, indeed, as an Irishman I can confirm there are LOTS of Irish people who don't like the term "British Isles". However being the good contrarian that I am I like to challenge my fellow Irishmen to get rid of their inferiority complexes and embrace their "British Islanders" identity !!

[@rorybrennan360]

@@MrRugbylane are you Irish.

[@MrRugbylane]

@@rorybrennan360 Yup.

[@johnmartin7370]

This Tour defined my reason to be here. I was thirteen years old, the World became a challenge, the very Skies became the only limit. The Possible became doable. If you can dream it and work hard enough, it will happen.

[@peters9744]

You're a poet.

[@alexanderv7702]

All five nations in harmony; as it should be!

[@marksallows113]

RIP JPR Williams 1949 - 2024

[@Jennyeq]

To think Gordon Brown went on to become PM. Incredible.

[@randykawasaki]

Fast hands in that back division....

[@col.callan7961]

I grew up believing that the Springboks are unbeatable because my dad told me so. Then this BLions team came when I was 11. These guys were at a different level with magical skills. They destroyed the Bok myth that year for me, but I also woke up the complacency in Springbok rugby.

[@darren2514fv]

in 1974 there was no TV in South Africa so Nigel Starmer Smith was actually in London commentating on the film footage

[@justinmiddleton2305]

I actually to an extent can't believe it is him. He still commentates to this day and I have watched many a game of him commentating, and his voice has changed a lot compared to his commentary in this Lions series. Only now after someone telling me, I can kind of pick up that it is him. Anyways, he is a legend and great commentator.

[@stephenreeds3672]

I think he was put there coz when Moloney was injured he was asked if he was available.

[@stephenreeds3672]

Mean out there. Not put there.

[@mizofan]

Scotland and Wales are not independent- but The Republic of Ireland still play with the British and Irish Lions.

[@jcoker423]

Independent RU nations

[@benniebezuidenhoutpmv1064]

Gérann, I was there. EP the only side that could score 3 tries against the Mighty Lions...

[@airzulu2733]

Sat and weds on that tour were pure magic . Northern and southern hemisphere rugby at its greatest. Just one big party every game . Never to be seen again.

[@justineagle6176]

what was wrong with the grass in SA in the 1970s ?

[@cushyglen4264]

These men were my boyhood heroes.

[@kwamenimako4040]

Good job keep it up

[@stupendouspineapple]

I think they might have been "outstanding" :D

[@brendangallagher8087]

class

[@peterfatboy1508]

Burying the kings

[@roberthowes7827]

Phil Bennett is definitely the best fly half I have ever seen.

[@gordonfrew6936]

Barry John.

[@rorybrennan360]

Mike Gibson

[@timothyharris4708]

@@rorybrennan360 Mike Gibson was a wonderful player, but he was a centre-three-quarter, not a fly-half.

[@rorybrennan360]

He started as an outhalf.absolutely brillant.

[@timothyharris4708]

@@rorybrennan360 Did he? Thank you for the information. As you say, he was a brilliant & wonderfully intelligent player; I hugely admire him.

[@gj003f6898]

Ever since the Clint Eastwood film "Invictus" went on general release and was criticized for being too liberal with actual facts I have always believed, and still do, that this tour would make for a better story for either the big or small screen - whether it be broadcast TV or a streaming service like Amazon Prime, Netflix or even Disney+. A mini series could absolutely do it justice. And I say Could rather than would because it would require the right people producing it, directing it and, it goes without saying, writing it. It's a tale that has all the ingredients for a must-see presentation.

[@craigbritz1684]

I dont think anyone would bother with it

[@chanctonbury63]

@junkman19571 Why?

[@bwlboy123]

RIP JJ.

[@a-teamrugby2071]

nice

[@grandslam1998]

why?

[@dzidzaichidumba5435]

No post pads, hard men!

[@justinmiddleton2305]

who was the commentator? want to be exactly sure who it is?

[@salimtufail]

Nigel Starmer-Smith, I believe.

[@justinmiddleton2305]

thanks, I did see that Darren Haywood said below that Nigel Starmer-Smith had to do this in London! I actually to an extent can't believe it is him. He still commentates to this day and I have watched many a game of him commentating, and his voice has changed a lot compared to his commentary in this Lions series. Only now after someone telling me, I can kind of pick up that it is him. Anyways, he is a legend and great commentator.

[@paulwebb6087]

Fran Cotton was awesome

[@wgjansenvanvuren8160]

South Africans weren't that surprised wrt the 1974 unbeaten B&I Lions-years of isolation has finally caught up with the Springboks.

[@MrRugbylane]

Is there any such thing as "grass" in South Africa?

[@Amanzi379]

Looks like they played in winter, no rain plus it looks like they didn't look after their pitches back then.

[@MrRugbylane]

@WE WUZ VIKANGS!!! n shiet. Your English is not bad. The Anti Christ would approve.

[@jcoker423]

@WE WUZ VIKANGS!!! n shiet. Get used to it, or speak Zulu.

[@MANFLUGMAIL]

So entertaining

[@steveditchburn5887]

Look where the South African try was scored, exactly the point, then look where the conversion kick was taken from, about five metres inside where the try was scored - what was the ref thinking??????

[@cc4219]

Hahaha

[@opokuprinceasiedu3892]

Interesting

[@paulsummerfield6357]

Pitches back in the day were bad to say the least!

[@Pihasanddunes1]

Watching it again you have to wonder if McCallum ever thought later 'man, I wish I'd never put that kick through (to Bennett) at Loftus. LOL.

[@russbarker2727]

I'm sure I saw cabbages growing on the pitch at Newlands!

[@bmac63]

jj williams great winger....

[@xpat73]

The fact that the lions won 3-1 with dodgy Bok refs shows you how good they were.

[@mizofan]

+xpat73 3-0, 1 draw

[@robert8552]

Dodgy SA refs? - a typical pink pom comment.

[@som2479]

Accordin to the BBC they used to be the British Lions when they won but British and Irish Lions when they lost

[@dpj1]

Gordon Brown has decent hands for a Prime Minister

[@shane-irish]

99

[@eamon54]

As an All Black supporter I have to say that this was a fantastic Lions team. They had by faqr the better forwards and a very strong scrum with simply brilliant backs. Commiserations to Fergus Slattery as he did score a try but the Referees were always biased over there at that era then. Just take a look at the All Blacks 76 tour to South Africa and make your own judgement as well as the NZ Cavaliers tour to South Africa

[@antonyhobbs1144]

that's when you could scrumage properly

[@johnhealy6676]

The nadir of Rugby Union

[@mozdickson]

nice to have commentary by Eric Idle (Lions robbed, but plenty of dodgy passes in various of their tries)

[@darren2514fv]

+adventuresinbelieving Nigel Starmer Smith

[@mozdickson]

yeah, him an all

[@djelalniyazi4090]

the Redcoats are coming

[@noeldoherty8680]

The simple thing is rugby has been played for years. Was never a political sport. That's why is is so popular...

[@glasgowbhoy1980]

people go on about the try that slattery didn't get but the "try" that roger uttley got in that game was equally controversial because he didn't ground the ball - so maybe a draw was a fair result

[@craigbritz1684]

The Poms will always find something to whinge about unless it doesnt suit them.

[@grandslam1998]

There was no such thing as the 99 call. It was just one in all in!