International cricket in South Africa from 1971 to 1981


International cricket in South Africa between 1971 and 1981 consisted of four private tours arranged by English sports promoter Derrick Robins, two tours by a private team called the "International Wanderers", and one women's Test match. The apartheid policy followed by the South African Governments of the day meant that no Test match playing nation was willing to tour, thereby depriving world cricket of leading stars such as Graeme Pollock, Barry Richards, Clive Rice and Eddie Barlow.

The road to isolation

Sport in South Africa had been divided on racial lines since the early white settlers. Cricket was no different. In 1891/2 Walter Read's Englishmen first played against a non-white team, the Malays. No non-white South Africans played any other international cricket until 1956, when a team of Kenyan Asians toured against South African non-whites. However, with apartheid laws becoming ever stricter, no non-white was selected for the national Test team. This did not, however, stop white-majority Commonwealth nations from playing white South Africa at cricket. In the 1970s and 1980s, the South African Cricket Board ran a competition called the Howa Bowl, which was contested between non-whites.
The Basil D'Oliveira affair changed all that. D'Oliveira was a mixed-race South African. Unable to play for his national side, he came to England and played for them instead, going on tour to the West Indies in 1967. His performance on that tour was not impressive, and he was omitted from the Ashes Test squads in the following summer until the fifth and final Test at the Oval. He scored 158, and was expected to make it to the team to tour South Africa in winter. When initially he was not selected, there was great controversy in England, with the English Test selectors being accused of pandering to the racist regime in South Africa. Then, when a vacancy became available through another player dropping out, D'Oliveira was selected in his place. But South African Prime Minister John Vorster opposed his selection, saying that it was not a team of the Marylebone Cricket Club, but of the Anti-Apartheid Movement. England did not tour.
However, Australia did tour in 1969/70, with the Proteas whitewashing them 4-0, making them unofficial world champions of the sport. They did not play another official Test match for 22 years. Their tour to England was called off in 1970, with England hastily arranging a tour by a Rest of the World team, which itself included some South Africans.
Garry Sobers, the West Indies' captain and their best cricketer, caused controversy by playing in a double-wicket competition in Rhodesia in September 1970. Although Sobers spent only 48 hours in Salisbury, he had time for a meal with the prime minister, Ian Smith, and described him as a great man to talk to. Sobers' statement and his participation in the tournament gave Caribbean politicians an opportunity to make clear their hatred of apartheid and racism. The Guyanese prime minister, Forbes Burnham, said Sobers was not welcome in his country until there was an apology. The Jamaican government called for his resignation as captain. The Indian prime minister, Indira Gandhi, forbade the Indian cricket team to tour the West Indies until the matter was sorted out. Sobers initially argued that he had done nothing wrong as he was a cricketer, not a politician, but ultimately apologised in October 1970 when the scandal threatened to break the West Indies team.

1971

South Africa tried to tour Australia in 1971, even going as far as suggesting that two black players, Dik Abed and Owen Williams were part of the team. Abed and Williams rejected the proposal. Also in 1971 Englishman Colin Cowdrey wanted to take a racially mixed team to South Africa and play separate black and white national teams. But the coloured Board rejected the idea and persuaded Basil D'Oliveira to distance himself from it. Frank Waring, the Minister of Sport, declared that if cricketers from club level upwards declared that they were in favour of racially integrated cricket and their authorities, "Came to me and stated that this was the position, then I am fully prepared to take this matter to Cabinet".
On 3 May 1971 the Rest of South African XI and the Transvaal team, the Currie Cup champions walked off the field at Newlands to protest against the government's sports policies. Charles Fortune, renown South African commentator, suggested that it would be best to walk off instead of refusing to play which would effect the support for their actions. Some of players-South Africa-Graeme Pollock,Mike Proctor, Vincent van der Bijl, Peter Pollock, Hylton Ackerman, Denis Lindsay, Graham Chevalier, Arthur Short and Andre Bruyns. Transvaal-Barry Richards, Brian Bath, Clive Rice, Peter Carlstien and Don Mackay-Coghill. Ali Bacher did not play, he was making up hours at the Baragwanath Hospital for time taken for cricket. The South African team had beaten the Australian 199/70 4-0 test series.
In another attempt to receive a touring international side to visit, the South African Cricket Association invited New Zealand to play three matches against multiracial sides when they were en route to England. However, New Zealand declined the offer.

DH Robins' XI January–February 1973

A women's Test team from New Zealand did visit South Africa at the start of 1972. Also Rhodesia, a country neighbouring South Africa that was also under white minority rule, attracted an International Wanderers side captained by England star Brian Close and that included nine Test players, one of whom was Basil D'Oliveira. They played just two games: and , and did not tour South Africa. South African, Mike Procter, played for Rhodesia.
However the first "international" games played by South Africa post-isolation occurred after this. Derrick Robins, a millionaire businessman and chairman of Coventry City Football Club, had organised a number of private cricket tours in the past, arranged a tour to South Africa
that took place between 1 January 1973 and 6 February 1973. His XI included many England Test players, who did not have to suffer bans as a result of it. Robins' aim was for his XI "to do so well that you will invite us back again". His players were also aware that England's Test selectors would notice how they performed.
There was some criticism of his decision to come to apartheid South Africa, which Robins dismissed by saying, "I do not want to answer political questions, but I'll say this: we are a team of English cricketers on a private tour, here to play anyone our hosts want us to play against." However, an attempt to mobilise opposition in England soon fizzled out.
The highlight of the tour was a 4-day game against a representative South African XI, the closest South Africa had come to choosing a Test squad since 1970. This game was changed to be the last one - highlighting that the tourists were treating their games seriously, rather than as a cricketing holiday. All the leading South African cricketers played, including many who had played Test matches before South Africa's expulsion from the world cricket community.
In this game DH Robins' XI won the toss and chose to field: that was a mistake as, courtesy of 100 runs from Barry Richards and 97 for Andre Bruyns, they piled on 387 runs. A strong all-round bowling performance saw DH Robins' XI get dismissed twice for under 160, with no player scoring more than 32, and the match end within 3 days. A 50 overs a side game was played on what would have been the fourth day. A tight match saw the South Africans edge home by 1 wicket.
DH Robins' XI team squad comprised: Tony Brown; David Brown; Frank Hayes; Jackie Hampshire; Robin Hobbs; David Hughes; Robin Jackman; Roger Knight; John Lever; Peter Lewington; Arnold Long; John Murray; Clive Radley; Mike Smith; David Turner; Peter Willey; Bob Willis;
South African International XI comprised: Ali Bacher ; Eddie Barlow; Andre Bruyns; Jackie du Preez; Lee Irvine; Donald Mackay-Coghill; Ken McEwan; Mike Procter; Barry Richards; Peter Swart. Additionally, Vintcent van der Bijl played in the one-day match, but not the 4-day match; Rupert Hanley played in the 4-day match, not the one-day match.
DateResultVenueScheduled
length
DH Robins' XI lost to Eastern Province by 6 wktsSt George's Park, Port Elizabeth3 days
Western Province beat DH Robins' XI by 121 runsNewlands, Cape Town3 days
DH Robins' XI drew with Transvaal New Wanderers, Johannesburg3 days
Natal lost to DH Robins' XI by 4 wktsKingsmead, Durban3 days
DH Robins' XI drew with Combined Section B XI Berea Park, Pretoria3 days
'Invitation Section A XI beat DH Robins' XI by an innings and 117 runsNew Wanderers, Johannesburg4 days
'DH Robins' XI lost to South African Invitation XI by 1 wktNew Wanderers, Johannesburg50 overs

DH Robins' XI October–December 1973

At the start of the next South African season, Derrick Robins took another group of tourists to South Africa. Only Mike Smith and John Lever of those who toured earlier in 1973 went on this tour. Whilst the other players on the team were mostly English, there were also a number of players from other countries. Most notably the tour included Pakistani Younis Ahmed and West Indian John Shepherd. The other players in the touring squad were :
After four warm-up games against the provinces, the tour included five games against fully representative South African sides, four of which were over 4 days, the other a one-day match over 50 overs. The one-day game was against an African XI in Soweto.
The South Africans who played in each of these representative squads were: Hylton Ackerman; Eddie Barlow ; Dassie Biggs; Lee Irvine; Graeme Pollock; Mike Procter; Barry Richards; Vintcent van der Bijl. Additionally, Peter Swart played in the 4-day games, but not the one-day game; Jackie du Preez and Anthony Smith just played in the first two 4-day games; Pelham Henwood and Rupert Hanley played in the third 4-day game and the one-day game; and Kevin Verdoorn only played in the one-day game.
The first of the representative games contained little of note, with slow scoring meant that it ended in a draw. The second game was dominated by two huge scores. John Edrich made 170 for DH Robins' XI, then Barry Richards made 180 for South Africa to ensure a second draw. The third and final first-class representative game started with South Africa winning the toss and putting DH Robins' XI into bat. DH Robins' XI only made 227 for 9 declared. The South African innings was dominated by 211 from Eddie Barlow and 125 from Lee Irvine as they piled on 528, with John Lever taking 6 for 117. A strong performance of 4 for 66 from Vintcent van der Bijl then helped South Africa dismiss DH Robins' XI for 218 to record a strong win in the match, and to take the three-match series 1-0.
The next day DH Robins' XI had their revenge in the only one-day game of the tour in a low scoring, but tight match.
DateResultVenueScheduled
length
Western Province drew with DH Robins' XI ]DH Robins' XI drew with Natal Kingsmead, Durban3 days
Transvaal lost to DH Robins' XI by 8 wktsNew Wanderers, Johannesburg3 days
Eastern Province lost to DH Robins' XI by 8 wktsSt George's Park, Port Elizabeth3 days
'South African Invitation XI drew with DH Robins' XI Newlands, Cape Town4 days
'DH Robins' XI drew with South African Invitation XI Kingsmead, Durban4 days
'DH Robins' XI lost to South African Invitation XI New Wanderers, Johannesburg4 days
'DH Robins' XI beat South African Invitation XI New Wanderers, Johannesburg50 overs

DH Robins XI March–April 1975

Brian Close led a strong international team known as the "International Wanderers" to Rhodesia in September 1974. They played one game against Transvaal, but nothing else in South Africa. The Rhodesian team notably included South African-born Mike Procter, whilst the International Wanderers counted South African Eddie Barlow amongst their numbers.
The next games for a representative South African side therefore took place on Derrick Robins third tour to South Africa in March and April 1975. This DH Robins' XI was again an international side. Captained once again by Brian Close, it included the following players from Robins' preceding tour: Bruce Francis, John Shepherd, Roger Tolchard, Younis Ahmed. In addition, the following also toured: Malcolm Francke, Geoff Greenidge, Tony Greig, Jackie Hampshire, Frank Hayes, Eddie Hemmings, Terry Jenner, John Lyon, Clive Radley, Stephen Rouse, John Steele, Stuart Turner, Max Walker.
The South African Board President's XI was again captained by Eddie Barlow. It also, for the very first time in a South African representative match, included two black players. Edward Habane played in both the first-class match and the one-dayer. Sedick Conrad played only in the first-class match. The other players were: Darryl Bestall, Simon Bezuidenhout, Rupert Hanley, Pelham Henwood, Lee Irvine, Graeme Pollock, Barry Richards, Vintcent van der Bijl. Also Peter Swart played in the one-day match, but not the first-class match.
The first-class match featuring the South African Board President's XI was dominated by an innings of 155 by South African legend, Eddie Barlow. DH Robins' XI was skittled out thanks to hauls of 5 for 41 from Pelham Henwood in the first innings, and 5 for 44 from Vintcent van der Bijl to leave the South Africans winners by 260 runs. More remarkable than the scores, however, was the inclusion of Edward Habane and Sedick Conrad, both black, in the South African squad. This was the first time coloured South Africans had played first-class cricket against a touring side since a South African Malays team played an English touring side in the 1890s.
The 40 over representative match was a low-scoring affair, with Barry Richards' 68 helping South Africa to a 5 wicket win with 6 balls to spare.
DateResultVenueScheduled
length
Natal drew with DH Robins' XI Kingsmead, Durban3 days
DH Robins' XI lost to Eastern Province by 5 wktsSt George's Park, Port Elizabeth3 days
DH Robins' XI drew with Transvaal New Wanderers, Johannesburg3 days
Western Province drew with DH Robins' XI Newlands, Cape Town3 days
'South African Board President's XI beat DH Robins' XI by 260 runsNewlands, Cape Town3 days
'DH Robins' XI lost to South African Board President's XI by 5 wktsNewlands, Cape Town40 overs

DH Robins' XI January–February 1976

The International Wanderers made a short 3 game tour to Rhodesia in September and October 1975, but other than that there was no international cricket in Southern Africa until a tour by another DH Robins' XI in January and February 1976. However, only one game of this tour, a 60 over affair, was played against a representative South African XI as the main games for South Africa would come slightly later in the season against another International Wanderers team.
The members of touring party were : Phil Carrick, Trevor Chappell, Geoff Cope, John Douglas, Frank Hayes, Mike Hendrick, Geoff Howarth, Andrew Kennedy, Peter Lee, David Lloyd, Derek Randall, Phil Slocombe, David Steele, Fred Titmus, Roger Tolchard, Gary Troup, Dav Whatmore.
The South African Invitation XI was again captained by Eddie Barlow. It also included one black cricketer, Samson Sonwabe. The other players were David Dyer, Rupert Hanley, Denys Hobson, Lee Irvine, Graeme Pollock, Clive Rice, Barry Richards, Anthony Smith and Vintcent van der Bijl.
The representative match was low and slow scoring, with South Africa making 219-7 in their 60 overs. The highlights were half centuries from Dyer, Pollock and Richards and 4 for 28 from Troup. DH Robins' XI struggled in reply, collapsing from 125-3 to 164 all out with no player reaching his half century.
DateResultVenueScheduled
length
Natal beat DH Robins' XI by 2 runsKingsmead, Durban3 days
Western Province beat DH Robins' XI by 78 runsNewlands, Cape Town3 days
South African Invitation XI beat DH Robins' XI by 55 runsNewlands, Cape Town60 overs
DH Robins' XI beat Transvaal by 108 runsNew Wanderers, Johannesburg3 days
Eastern Province lost to DH Robins' XI by 10 wktsSt George's Park, Port Elizabeth3 days

International Wanderers March–April 1976

The highlight of the South African 1975/6 season was a tour by the International Wanderers. They played 3 first-class games and 1 one-day game against a South African Invitation XI. They also played a first-class game against a weaker South African Board President's XI. This was the strongest team to tour South Africa since isolation, and comprised players from 4 countries. The tourists were managed by Richie Benaud and captained by Australian Greg Chappell in all four main representative games. Englishmen Mike Denness and Bob Taylor, and West Indian John Shepherd also played in all four games. The other players, their nationalities and the games they played in are as follows : Ian Chappell 1, OD; Phil Edmonds OD, 3; Gary Gilmour 1, 2, 3; Alan Hurst 1, 3; Martin Kent 1, 2, 3; Dennis Lillee 2, 3; Ashley Mallett 1, OD, 2; John Morrison 1, OD, 2; Glenn Turner OD, 2, 3; Derek Underwood 1, OD, 3; Max Walker OD, 2.
The South African Invitation XI was again captained by Eddie Barlow, who played in all four representative games, as did Clive Rice and Vintcent van der Bijl. A number of coloured players were selected for the Invitation XI. These, and the games they played in, were Abdullatief Barnes 1, 2; Winston Carelse 1, 2; Ismail Ebrahim 3; Devdas Govindjee OD; D Jacobs OD; Farouk Timol 3.
The other players selected for South Africa were Hylton Ackerman OD; Howard Bergins 1, 2, 3; Henry Fotheringham 1; Jack Heron 1; Denys Hobson 1; Lee Irvine OD, 2, 3; Peter Kirsten 1; Douglas Neilson OD; Gavin Pfuhl 1; Graeme Pollock OD, 2, 3; Anthony Smith OD, 2, 3; Barry Richards OD, 2, 3; Lorrie Wilmot 2, 3.
DateResultVenueScheduled
length
'International Wanderers beat South African Invitation XI by 185 runsNewlands, Cape Town4 days
'South African Invitation XI lost to International Wanderers by 5 wktsSt George's Park, Port Elizabeth50 overs
South African Board President's XI drew with International Wanderers St George's Park, Port Elizabeth3 days
'International Wanderers drew with South African Invitation XI New Wanderers, Johannesburg4 days
'South African Invitation XI beat International Wanderers Kingsmead, Durban4 days

The end of international tours

During the early to mid-1970s there had been various attempts by the different South African cricket bodies representing the whites, coloureds and black to play multiracial cricket despite Government opposition. In June 1976, however, there were major political uprisings in South Africa. The main outbreak of civil strife was the Soweto Uprising, centred on Soweto, the black township attached to Johannesburg. On 16 June, thousands of schoolchildren rebelled against the education policy of the white minority government. Hundreds were killed; US newspaper Newsday estimated 332 had died in Soweto and 435 nationally. Many others went into exile.
On 17 July 1976 the Montréal Olympics opened without 25 African countries who were boycotting the games as a result of New Zealand retaining sporting ties with South Africa - the New Zealand rugby union football team were touring South Africa at the time.
In the light of this political strife, new changes were proposed, which included the placing of a moratorium on tours to and from South Africa. And in practice no international tour happened until the first of the South African rebel tours in 1982.