History remembered with commemorative match

Next Friday, the HSBC Waratahs will celebrate one of the greatest moments in NSW Rugby history.

In 1937, the all conquering Springboks toured Australia for only the second time in history. Captained by the giant Phil Nel, the side contained legendary halfback Danie Craven, pioneer of the dive pass. They won every match on tour until they played the NSW Waratahs. Conditions were appalling as the teams took the field, with heavy rain belting down. Defying the conditions, NSW coach Johnnie Wallace (the famous 1927/28 Waratahs captain), instructed his boys to throw the ball around. The final score, 17-6 in NSW’s favour, rewrote the history books and the deeds of the NSW team on that day will live forever as one of the greatest feats ever seen on the Sydney Cricket Ground.

 

To commemorate the 75^th anniversary of ‘The Downing of the ‘Boks’, the HSBC Waratahs will next weekend wear a specially-commissioned, limited edition heritage jersey.  As well as carrying the heritage Waratah logo as worn by the 1937 NSW Waratahs, the old-style cotton fabric retail version also has the traditional white collar and carries the number 37 on the back as well as commemorative embroidery that reads:
COMMEMORATING THE 75^th ANNIVERSARY OF THE DOWNING OF THE BOKS, June 19^th, 1937 at the SCG, NSW Waratahs 17 def The Springboks 6.

 

A cloth patch on the right front of the jersey is a recreation of the centre page of the official match day program from June 19, 1937. This program carries the signatures of both full teams including the legendary Springbok half back Danie Craven and Cyril Towers, who remains the NSW Waratahs’ all-time highest try scorer with 49.

 

The program is recreated with kind permission from 83-year-old New South Welshman John Bradshaw who has preserved it after receiving it as a gift from his Dad, after the pair attended the historic game together back in 1937 at the SCG.

 

To buy tickets or for more information about HSBC Waratahs v Bull match next Friday (May 11) at Allianz Stadium and the commemoration of the 75^th anniversary of ‘The Downing of the ‘Boks’  visit the match day tab on the Waratahs website.  

Buy your Limited Edition 2012 Commemorative Jersey online today while stocks last. 

 

An excerpt from Guardians of the Game, The History of The New South Wales Rugby Union 1874-2004, John G Mulford 2005:
 

NSW WARATAHS v SOUTH AFRICA
Sydney Cricket Ground
19 June 1937

Some great Springboks came to tour Australia in 1937, the first South African Rugby team to tour since 1921.

 

Captained by the giant Phil Nel, the side contained legendary halfback Danie Craven, the pioneer of the dive pass. They won every match on tour until they struck the NSW Waratahs. The deeds of NSW that day will live forever as one of the greatest feats ever seen on the Sydney Cricket Ground.

 

Conditions were appalling as the teams took the field, with heavy rain belting down. However the NSW coach, famous 1927/28 Waratahs captain Johnnie Wallace, instructed his boys to throw the ball around with no thought of wet weather tactics that day.

 

Twice in the first half the ball went magically from halfback to wing for an overlap which produced two tries to Jockey Kelaher. Keith Windon was everywhere in the loose and Russ Kelly was burying the big Springboks in the mud with his devastating tackling. Frank O’Brien the Australian 440-yard sprint champion was beautifully positioned by captain Cyril Towers for two tries in the second half.

 

The NSW Waratahs played with finesse both in the backs and up-front, despite the treacherous conditions. Their performance that day is remembered as one the most memorable in the long history of NSW Rugby.

 

The final score, 17-6 to the NSW Waratahs.