SA rugby team plays and wins the first test match against Ireland

On 30 May 1981, South Africa played its first rugby test match against Ireland at Newlands stadium in Cape Town. This game was particularly significant, as Errol Tobias was the first black player to start a test match in South Africa during this game. South Africa, or the Springboks, won this test match 23-15. This historical match is relevant considering the upcoming British and Irish Lions rugby tour, which is to take place in South Africa next month (June 2009). The team is captained by Irish lock Paul O'Connell, so South Africa will come up against the Irish again, 28 years after the first test match in 1981. References: "O'Connell confirmed as Lions captain" [online] Available at: scrum.com [Accessed 19 May 2009] South Africa Info Sports Trivia [online] Available at: southafrica.info [Accessed 19 May 2009] Wallis, F. (2000) Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar. Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau