The HSBC Waratahs will tomorrow celebrate one of the greatest moments in NSW Rugby history by wearing a limited edition, 2012 Commemorative Jersey when they take on the Bulls at Allianz Stadium.
After the match is finished, each player from 1 to 22 will each sign their worn, match day jerseys for an online auction that will give members and fans the chance to own a unique piece of Waratahs Rugby history. Bidding for the jerseys is now open.
Head Coach Michael Foley will sign a 23rd jersey and supporters can bid for their preference online through the HSBC Waratahs online auction. The auction opened at 5pm today, Thursday May 10, and runs for one week.
Waratahs Rugby guarantees the authenticity of all items auctioned on this Official Auction Site of Waratahs Rugby. The auction finishes at 5pm, May 18 (Eastern Standard Time)
As well as carrying the heritage Waratah logo as worn by the 1937 NSW Waratahs, the match day jerseys feature 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 full game day information on the HSBC Waratahs v Bull match next Friday (May 11) at Allianz Stadium and the commemoration of the 75th anniversary of ‘The Downing of the ‘Boks’ go to: www.waratahs.com.au/bulls
An excerpt from Guardians of the Game, The History of The New South Wales Rugby Union 1874-2004, John G Mulford 2005:
Commemorating the 75th Anniversary of ‘The Downing of the Boks’
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.