The British Tommies, otherwise known as the Infantry RFC, toured South Africa recently, with matches against four representative sides within Natal and the Natal Sharks second string, the Wildebeest.

Training took place at the ABSA Stadium alongside not only the Sharks but also the Springboks, after a pre-tour training camp at Catterick. The pressure was on when the team arrived in Kokstad for the fixture against Southern Natal. The opening ten minutes saw a nervous Infantry side concede one try and look decidedly stretched on many occasions. However, they moved into a comfortable 20 point lead by half time and, playing some exhilarating rugby, won 47-10.

Major changes within the squad to face Natal Duikers, a representative team of players who narrowly missed selection for the Provincial squad, was a bridge too far. The final score was a 15-3 defeat, but much had been learnt about defensive organisation, and even more about big tackles.

Natal Wildebeest paid the Infantry the ultimate compliment, fielding their strongest side, including five players who had played rugby for the Sharks. Their power and strength was phenomenal. The Infantry defended brilliantly for 80 minutes and were trailing by 60 points when the referee asked with three minutes to go if the skipper wanted to call it time. The response “no sir, not at all” saw a further three minutes play and a further three Wildebeest tries. Such is life!