1912–13 South Africa rugby union tour of Europe

1912–13 South Africa rugby union tour of Europe
1912–13 South Africa rugby union tour of Europe
Manager	Max Honnet
Tour captain(s)	Billy Millar
Summary
P	W
Total
27	24
Test match
05	05
Opponent
P	W
Scotland
1	1
Ireland
1	1
England
1	1
Wales
1	1
France
1	1
Tour chronology
Previous tour	1906–07 Europe
Next tour	1921 Aus & NZ

In 1912-13 the South Africa national rugby union team toured England, France, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, playing a series of test matches, as well as games against club, regional, and representative teams. South Africa accomplished their first Grand Slam by winning all four tests against the Home Nations sides, and also won the test match against France. This was the second South African tour of the Northern Hemisphere, after the very successful 1906 tour.

Although not managing to win all the matches on the tour, the Springboks won all five test matches against international opposition. Billy Millar was the tour captain even though he was the last person chosen for the tour and was not the selectors' choice of captain, but they were over-ruled by the South African Rugby Board.^[1] Millar did have the advantage of being one of the few players to have toured Britain in the previous test, but was seen by the hosts as a fiery character and was not as popular with the players or fans as the 1906's tour captain, Paul Roos.^[2] The other two members of the squad to have played in the 1906 tour were vice-captain Fred 'Uncle' Dobbin and Doug Morkel.

In the touring party were two sets of brothers; Richard, Freddie and John Luyt and Gerhard and Jack Morkel.^[2]

Touring party

Manager: Max Honnet
Captain: Billy Millar
Vice-captain Frederick Dobbin

Full back

J. J. Meintjies (Griqualand West)
Gerhard Morkel (Western Province)

Three-quarters

Otto van der Hoff (Transvaal)
William Krige (Western Province)
Richard Luyt (Western Province)
Boetie McHardy (Orange Free State)
Wally Mills (Western Province)
Jacky Morkel (Western Province)
Johan Stegmann (Transvaal)
Bai Wrentmore (Western Province)

Half-backs

Forwards

Match summary

Complete list of matches played by the Springboks in Europe:^[3]

Test matches

#	Date	Opponents	City	Venue	Score
1	3 Oct 1912	Somerset RU	Bath		24–3
2	5 Oct 1912	Devon RU	Exeter		8–0
3	10 Oct 1912	Cornwall	Redruth		15–6
4	12 Oct 1912	Monmouthshire	Pontypool	Recreation Ground	16–0
5	17 Oct 1912	Glamorgan	Cardiff	Cardiff Arms Park	35–3
6	19 Oct 1912	Llanelli RFC	Llanelli	Stradey Park	8–7
7	24 Oct 1912	Newport RFC	Newport	Rodney Parade	3–9
8	26 Oct 1912	London Counties	Blackheath		12–8
9	30 Oct 1912	Combined Services	Portsmouth		18–16
10	2 Nov 1912	East Midlands	Northampton		14–5
11	6 Nov 1912	Oxford University RFC	Oxford		6–0
12	9 Nov 1912	Midland Counties	Leicester		25–3
13	14 Nov 1912	Cambridge University	Cambridge		24–0
14	16 Nov 1912	London Counties	London	Twickenham Stadium	8–10
15	20 Nov 1912	Northern Counties	Newcastle		17–0
16	23 Nov 1912	Scotland	Inverleith		16–0
17	27 Nov 1912	Combined Scottish Districts	Glasgow	New Anniesland	38–3
18	30 Nov 1912	Ireland	Dublin	Lansdowne Road	38–0
19	4 Dec 1912	Ulster	Belfast		19–0
20	7 Dec 1912	Northern Counties	Birkenhead	Birkenhead Park	21–8
21	14 Dec 1912	Wales	Cardiff	Cardiff Arms Park	3–0
22	19 Dec 1912	Neath RFC	Neath	The Gnoll	8–3
23	21 Dec 1912	Cardiff RFC	Cardiff	Cardiff Arms Park	7–6
24	26 Dec 1912	Swansea RFC	Swansea	St Helen's Ground	0–3
25	28 Dec 1912	Gloucestershire RU	Bristol		11–0
26	4 Jan 1913	England	London	Twickenham Stadium	9–3
27	11 Jan 1913	France	Le Bouscat	Stade Sainte-Germaine	38–5

**Balance**
Pl	W	D	L	Ps	Pc
27	24	0	3	441	101

Match details

Monmouthshire

12 October

Monmouthshire	0–16	South Africa
		Try: Mills (2) F Luyt van Vuuren Con:Wrentmore (2)

Recreation Ground, Pontypool
Attendance: 12,000
Referee: TD Schofield (Bridgend, Wales)

Team details
Monmouthshire HA James (Abertillery), W Davies (Brynmawr), J Wetter (Newport), R Plummer (Newport), WJ Thomas (Abertillery), E Marsh (Abertillery), R Lloyd (Pontypool), Rees Thomas (Pontypool), F Talbot (Pontypool), E Stephens (Pontypool), T Davies (Pontypool), F Andrews (Pontypool), J Webb (Abertillery), J Hennessy (Rhymney), J Williams (Newport) South Africa PG Morkel, EE McHardy, WA Krige, FJ Dobbin, MJ Mills, FP Luyt, GM Wrentmore, ET Delaney, EH Shum, SH Ledger, AS Knight, TF van Vuuren, LH Louw, ET Delaney, WA Millar (capt.)

Glamorgan

17 October

Glamorgan RFC	3–35	South Africa
Try: B Lewis		Try: Stegmann (4), Mills, D Luyt, F Luyt, van Vuuren Con: F Luyt Pen: D Morkel Drop: D Luyt

Arms Park, Cardiff
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: AO Jones (Leicester, England)

Team details
Glamorgan P Howells (Penarth), G Heslop(Penarth), T Evans (Cardiff), William Davies (capt.) (Swansea), B Lewis (Swansea), J Rogers (Cardiff), Clem Lewis (Cardiff), W Jenkins (Cardiff), E Mithan (Cardiff), Bob Hayward (Llwynypia), W Hopkins (Aberavon), Harry Hiams (Llanelli), Glyn Stephens (Neath), T Williams (Swansea), T Morgan (Swansea) South Africa PG Morkel, JA Stegmann, RR Luyt, JWH Morkel, MJ Mills, FP Luyt, JH Immelman, ET Delaney, TF van Vuuren, WH Morkel, AS Knight, JAJ Francis, G Thompson, DF Morkel, WA Millar (capt.)

Llanelli

19 October

Llanelli RFC	7–8	South Africa
Try: J Evans Drop: Hiams		Try: van der Hoff, J Morkel Con: J Morkel

Stradey Park, Llanelli
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: Gil Evans (Birmingham, England)

Team details
Llanelli F Rees, J Evans, W Watts, J Owen Davies, E Thomas, L Bennett, D Lloyd, S Phillips, G Evans, R Williams, DM Job, AJ Stacey (capt.), J Morgan, H Hiams, T Williams South Africa JJ Meintjies, EE McHardy, WA Krige, JWH Morkel, FJ Dobbin (capt.), JD McCulloch, EH Shum, SN Cronje, SH Ledger, JAJ Francis, LH Louw, A van der Hoff, JS Braine, JD Luyt, G Thompson

Newport

24 October

Newport RFC	9–3	South Africa
Try: Birt Con:Birt drop: Birt		Try: D Morkel

Rodney Parade, Newport
Attendance: 18,300
Referee: F.C. Potter-Irwin (London, England)

Team details
Newport H Wreford, Billy Geen, Walter Martin capt., J Wetter, Fred Birt, Reg Plummer, Tommy Vile, Jack Beames, J Williams, Harry Wetter, C Anderson, A Bell, R Dibble, Harry Uzzell, AR Williams South Africa JJ Meintjies, JA Stegmann, RR Luyt, GM Wrentmore, A van der Hoff, FP Luyt, JH Immelman, ET Delaney, JS Braine, JD Luyt, AS Knight, TF van Vuuren, G Thompson, DF Morkel, WA Millar (capt.)

Scotland

23 November

Scotland	0–16	South Africa
		Try: Stegmann (2), McHardy, W H Morkel Con: D Morkel, G Morkel

Inverleith, Edinburgh
Attendance: 26,000
Referee: F.C. Potter-Irwin (London, England)

Team details
Scotland Walter Dickson, Walter Sutherland, Alex Angus, AW Gunn, James Pearson, James Boyd, Eric Milroy, Patrick Blair, Lewis Robertson, WDCL Purves, David Howie, David Bain, JMB Scott, J Dobson, FH Turner capt. South Africa PG Morkel, JA Stegmann, RR Luyt, JWH Morkel, EE McHardy, FP Luyt, FJ Dobbin capt., JD Luyt, SH Ledger, G Thompson, TF van Vuuren, JAJ Francis, DFT Morkel, WH Morkel, AS Knight

Ireland

30 November

Ireland	0–38	South Africa
		Try: Stegmann (3), McHardy (3), J Morkel (2), Francis, Millar Con: G Morkel (3), JD Luyt

Lansdowne Road, Dublin
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: John Dallas (1st half)^[4]
Fred Gardiner (2nd half)
F.C. Potter-Irwin (London, England) [sick]

Team details

Ireland

South Africa

Ireland: CP Stuart, R Watson, GW Holmes, JB Minch, M Abraham, RA Lloyd capt., HM Read, G. S. Brown, RB Burgess, SBB Campbell, H Moore, C Adams, R d'A Patterson, FG Schute, JJ Clune
South Africa: PG Morkel, JA Stegmann, RR Luyt, JWH Morkel, EE McHardy, FP Luyt, FJ Dobbin, WA Millar capt., SH Ledger, G Thompson, TF van Vuuren, JAJ Francis, DFT Morkel, WH Morkel, AS Knight

Wales

14 December

Wales	0–3	South Africa
		Pen: D Morkel

Arms Park, Cardiff
Attendance: 30,000
Referee: F.C. Potter-Irwin (London, England)

Team details
Wales Bobbie Williams (Cardiff), Billy Geen (Newport), Fred Birt (Newport), Billy Spiller (Cardiff), Reg Plummer (Newport), Horace Thomas (Swansea), Tommy Vile (Newport) (capt.), F Andrews (Pontypool), Rees Thomas (Pontypool), F Perrett (Neath), Glyn Stephens (Neath), Percy Jones (Newport), Harry Wetter (Newport), Bert Hollingdale (Swansea), Johnnie Morgan (Llanelli) South Africa PG Morkel, JA Stegmann, RR Luyt, JWH Morkel, EE McHardy, FP Luyt, FJ Dobbin, JAJ Francis, JD Luyt, AS Knight, TF van Vuuren, G Thompson, WH Morkel, DF Morkel, WA Millar (capt.)

Neath

19 December

Neath RFC	3–8	South Africa
Try: Richards		Try: Van der Hoff W Morkel Con: D Morkel

The Gnoll, Neath
Attendance: 15,000
Referee: R.G. Smith (Bristol, England)

Team details
Neath G Gethin, H Richards, G Rees, T Owen Jones, T John, F Rees, S Evans, F David (capt.), T Jenkins, F Perrett, W Hopkins, J Pullman, W Davies, G Stephens, TC Lloyd South Africa PG Morkel, A van der Hoff, RR Luyt, JWH Morkel, MJ Mills, FP Luyt, JH Immelman, EH Shum, JAJ Francis, ET Delaney, AS Knight, WH Morkel, G Thompson, DF Morkel, WA Millar (capt.)

Cardiff

21 December

Cardiff RFC	6–7	South Africa
Try: Spiller Pen: Rogers		Pen: D Morkel Drop: J Morkel

Arms Park, Cardiff
Referee: J.H. Miles (Leicester, England)

Team details
Cardiff RF Williams, W Bowen, Billy Spiller (capt.), T Evans, WT Grassmore, Clem Lewis, J Rogers, WJ Jenkins, C Palmer, A Barker, JS Michael, J Birch, F Gaccon, T Mithan, A Green South Africa PG Morkel, JA Stegmann, RR Luyt, JWH Morkel, EE McHardy, FP Luyt, JH Immelman, FJ Dobbin, JAJ Francis, JD Luyt, AS Knight, TF van Vuuren, G Thompson, DF Morkel, WA Millar (capt.)

Swansea

26 December

Swansea RFC	3–0	South Africa
Try: Thomas

St. Helen's, Swansea
Attendance: 35,000
Referee: James Greenlees (Scotland)

Team details
Swansea D Williams, Howell Lewis, WJ Trew (capt.), T Williams, F Williams, O Jenkins, Sidney Jerram, E Morgan, David John Thomas, B Williams, Tom Morgan, B Hollingdale, G Evans, H Moultan, G Hayward South Africa PG Morkel, JA Stegmann, RR Luyt, JWH Morkel, WJ Mills, FP Luyt, FJ Dobbin, SH Ledger, JAJ Francis, JD Luyt, AS Knight, WH Morkel, G Thompson, DF Morkel, WA Millar (capt.)

England

4 January

England	3–9	South Africa
Try: Poulton		Try: J Morkel Pen: D Morkel (2)

Twickenham, London
Attendance: 29,000
Referee: John Tulloch (Scotland)

Team details

England

South Africa

England: William Johnston, Cyril Lowe, FM Stoop, RW Poulton, VHM Coates, W. J. A. Davies, WI Cheesman, JAS Ritson, Norman Wodehouse, SEJ Smart, JA King, LG Brown, AL Kewney, Jenny Greenwood, CH Pillman
South Africa: PG Morkel, JA Stegmann, RR Luyt, JWH Morkel, EE McHardy, FP Luyt, JD McCulloch, SH Ledger, JAJ Francis, EM Shum, AS Knight, WH Morkel, TF van Vuuren, DF Morkel, WA Millar (capt.)

France

11 January

France	5–35	South Africa
Try: Bruneau Con: André		Try: Francis, Ledger, R Luyt, McHardy (2), D Morkel (2), J Morkel, W Morkel Con: D Morkel (2), J Morkel (2) Pen: D Morkel

Le Bouscat, Gironde
Attendance: 20,000
Referee: W. Williams (England)

Team details

France

South Africa

France: FB J Caujolle, G Andre, M Bruneau, J Sentilles, P Jaureguy, A Chatau, M Hedembaigt, P Mauriat, JR Pascarel, H Tilh, P Mouniq, M Leuvielle capt., M Legrain, F Forgues, M Communeau
South Africa: PG Morkel, JA Stegmann, JWH Morkel, RR Luyt, EE McHardy, J Immelman, J McCulloch, D Morkel, T van Vuuren, A Knight, W Morkel, SH Ledger, JAJ Francis, WA Millar capt., J Luyt

Bibliography

Billot, John (1974). Springboks in Wales. Ferndale, Glamorgan: Ron Jones Publications.

External links

Results overview at rugbyarchive.net

References

^ Billot (1974), p. 70.
^ ^a ^b Billot (1974), p. 71.
^ South Africa tour, 1912-13|Match results on ESPN Scrum
^ "Who was the first substitute referee?". World Rugby Museum. 28 May 2018.

[Billot70-1] Billot (1974), p. 70.

[Billot71-2] Billot (1974), p. 71.

[3] South Africa tour, 1912-13|Match results on ESPN Scrum

[4] "Who was the first substitute referee?". World Rugby Museum. 28 May 2018.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

Grand Slam tours
Australia	1927–28 1947–48 1957–58 1966–67 1975–76 1981–82 1984 2009 2013
New Zealand	1905-06 1935–36 1953–54 1963–64 1972–73 1978 2005 2008 2010
South Africa	1906–07 1931–32 1951–52 1960–61 1969–70 1998 2004 2010

Rugby union tours of France
Argentina	1975 1982 1988 1992 1998 2004 2006 2008 2021
Australia	1927–28 (Waratahs) 1947–48 1957–58 1966–67 1971 1976 1983 1989 1993 1998 2000 2001 2004 2005 2008
Canada	1979 1994 2002 2005
Fiji	1964 1989 no test 1990 2001
Ireland	1988
Japan	1973 2000
Maori All Blacks	1926–27
New Zealand	1905 1924–25 1953–54 1963–64 1972–73 1977 1986 1981 1990 1995 2000 2002 2004 2006
Pacific Islanders	2008
Samoa	1989 (no test)
South Africa	1906–07 1912–13 1951–52 1960–61 1992 1996 1997 2001 2002 2005
Tonga	2005
USA	1924 Olympic Games

Rugby union tours of England
Argentina	1978 1990 1999 2000 2006 2022
Australia	1908–09 1927–28 (Waratahs) 1947–48 1957–58 1966–67 1973 1975–76 1981–82 1984 1988 1997 1998 2000 2001 2002 2004 2005 2008 2009 2013
New Zealand	1905 1924–25 1935–36 1953–54 1963–64 1967 1972–73 1974 (no test) 1978 1979 1983 1993 1997 2002 2005 2006 2008
South Africa	1906–07 1912–13 1931–32 1951–52 1960–61 1969–70 1992 1996 ("A" team) 1997 1998 2000 2001 2002 2004 2006 2008
Romania	1984–85
Japan	1973 (no test) 1976 (no test) 1986
Fiji	1982 (no test) 1985 (no test) 1989
Samoa	1989 (no test) 1995 1996 (no test) 2005
Tonga	1997 (no test)
Pacific Islanders	2008
Canada	1979 (no test) 1983 (no test) 1994 1999 2004
United States	1924 (no test) 1977 (no test) 1999
Maori All Blacks	1888–89 1926–27

Rugby union tours of Ireland
Argentina	1973 1990 1999 2002 2004 2008 2021
Australia	1927–28 (Waratahs) 1947–48 1957–58 1966–67 1968 1975–76 1981–82 1984 1992 1996 2002 2004 2005 2006 2009 2013
Canada	2008
Fiji	1985 1995 2002
Italy	1988-89
Japan	2000
New Zealand	1888–89 (Māori) 1905 1924–25 1926–27 (Māori) 1935–36 1953–54 1963–64 1972–73 1978 1989 1997 2001 2005 2008
Pacific Islanders	2006
Romania	1980 2002
Samoa	1988 1996 2001
South Africa	1906–07 1912–13 1931–32 1951–52 1960–61 1965 1969–70 1994 (no test) 1996 ("A" team) 1998 2000 2004 2006
United States	1994

Rugby union tours of Scotland
Argentina	1973 1990 1999 2001 2005 2022
Australia	1947–48 1957–58 1966–67 1968 1975–76 1981–82 1984 1988 1996 1997 2000 2006 2009 2013
New South Wales	1927–28
New Zealand	1888–89 (NZ Natives) 1905 1935–36 1953–54 1963–64 1967 1972–73 1978 1979 1983 1993 2001 2005 2008
South Africa	1906–07 1912–13 1931–32 1951–52 1960–61 1965 1969–70 1994 1996 ("A" team) 1997 1998 2002 2004 2008
Romania	1981 2002
Fiji	1982 (no test) 1989 2002
Samoa	1995 2000 2005
Tonga	1997 (no test) 2001
Pacific Islanders	2006
Japan	1976 (no test) 1986 2004
United States	2000
Canada	2008