CHILL-OUT SUNDAY THE ELLIS RUGBY – 1974 BRITISH LIONS RUGBY – BOOK REVIEW

1974 British Lions Rugby. When the Lions came to Town. The 1974 Rugby Tour to South Africa.

Author Luke Alfred

Luke Alfred was a sports journalist for 18 years. And was the sports editor and senior cricket writer at the Sunday Times in Johannesburg. He is now a freelance journalist after working as consultant at Cricket South Africa. He is the author of three previous cricket books: Lifting the Covers, Testing Times. And The Art of Losing. He is married and has three sons.

Here’s the Book Preview – When the Lions came to Town about the British and Irish Lions Tour of South Africa

The early 1970s in South Africa were a time of economic boom, political repression, growing isolation. And an unshakeable confidence that the Springboks were the best rugby team in the world. Until the infamous 1974 British Lions tour.

It was a tour in which a group of talented and long-haired rugby players from the British Isles played, sang and drank their way across the country, beating the Springboks 3-0 in the four Tests, with the last one a dubious draw. Until then the Lions hadn’t beaten South Africa at home in 78 years.

British Lions Rugby – Series Victory over Springboks in 1974

Based on original research and interviews with players on both sides, When the Lions Came to Town vividly recreates a tumultuous rugby tour that sent shockwaves through South Africa. It captures a bygone era, a time before television, a golden age of amateurism, pranks and setting hotel rooms alight – as the Lions did after winning the series in PE.

Insightful, provocative and frequently amusing, When the Lions Came to Town casts a fresh eye on a divisive but undeniably colourful period in South African political, social and sporting history.

Where to buy the British Lions 1974 Rugby Tour book and Clothing Collection?

Available from Amazon to VIEW. Also, why not take a look at our Vintage British Isles XV Clothing collection to VIEW.