Thirty years ago ...
We take a step back in time, 30 years in fact. This was a time when South Africa was in the midst of the isolation era and the only teams that would dare break the politically imposed sanctions were composite and Rebels teams.
In 1984 the South American Jaguars played against South Africa. The team that toured, was mainly made up of Argentina players and included a handful of players from Brazil, Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay.
The Jaguars was a 'shadow' Argentine national team, not officially recognized by Union Argentina de Rugby, while the Argentine Government forced the Union Argentina de Rugby to forbid the use of any Argentine emblem by the players.
Still there was rugby, some very good and exciting rugby, played.
We revisit the 'international' on 27 October 1984 - played at Newlands Stadium, in Cape Town, a game South Africa won 22-13.
While names like Anton Barnard, Chris Rogers, Attie Strauss and Kulu Ferreira will not be familiar with all fans, this match saw some of the all-time greats of the game in actions.
Players like Louis Moolman, Rob Louw and Nick Mallett were forwards that ranked among the
However, the Springbok backline consisted of legends like , Divan Serfontein, Errol Tobias, Carel du Plessis, Danie Gerber, Michael du Plessis, Ray Mordt and Johan Heunis.
And let us not forget one of the true legends of the game - Argentinean flyhalf and captain Hugo Porta.
Back then the points scoring rules had a try counting four, a conversion two, penalty three and a drop-goal three.
Scorers:
For South Africa:
Tries: C du Plessis, Ferreira, Gerber, Mordt
Pens: Tobias 2
For South America:
Try: Sansot
Pens: Porta 3
Teams:
South Africa: 15 Johan Heunis, 14 Ray Mordt, 13 Danie Gerber, 12 Michael du Plessis, 11 Carel du Plessis, 10 Errol Tobias, 9 Divan Serfontein (captain), 8 Nick Mallett, 7 Kulu Ferreira, 6 Rob Louw, 5 Rudi Visagie, 4 Louis Moolman, 3 Attie Strauss, 2 Chris Rogers, 1 Anton Barnard.
South America: 15 Martin Sansot, 14 Jose Palma, 13 Diego Cuesta Silva, 12 Fabian Turnes, 11 Marcelo Campo, 10 Hugo Porta (captain), 9 Javier Miguens, 8 Ernesto Ure, 7 Buenaventura Minguez, 6 Tomas Petersen, 5 Tomas Pardo Vidal, 4 Gustavo Milano, 3 John Bird, 2 Diego Cash, 1 Serafin Dengra.
Referee Rene Hourquet (France)
Sit back and enjoy!