RUGBY LEAGUE NATION

 

 

Foundation Year - 1963

International Team - Rhinos

Highest finish in World Cup - Last in Pool (1995, 2000)

Top level domestic competition - South Africa have 5 provinces in the top competition with 19 club sides spread throughout the provinces.

History - Rugby League in South Africa goes all the way back to the 1960's. South Africa played an official two match test series against Australia in 1963. Australia proved to strong winning both games 34 - 6 and 54 - 21. By the end of the 1960's the game had all but disappeared from South Africa.

In the early 1990's rugby league was re-introduced to South Africa. Rugby League has been growing as a sport in South Africa ever since.

In 1995 South Africa made history by playing in their first ever Rugby League World Cup. The World Cup was held in the England and Wales where South Africa were grouped with powerhouses Australia and England along with the other newcomers Fiji. South Africa seemed out of their depth with huge losses to Fiji (52 -6), Australia (86 - 6) and England (46 - 0) The South Africans did take a positives out of the tournament saving their best performance to last against England.

In 2000 South Africa took part in the Rugby League World Cup for the second time. South Africa were out to prove that the game had moved forward since their 1995 World Cup showing. They were grouped with France, Tonga and Papua New Guinea with all games played in France. South Africa suffered heavy defeats to France (56 - 6), and Tonga (66 - 18). South Africa showed their potential with a gutsy performance against Papua New Guinea narrowly losing 16 - 0.

Since 2000 the domestic competition has been slowly growing and now boasts 19 club sides. On the international front between 2004 and 2006 South Africa played an international against the West Indies and a two game test series against Italy winning all games.

South Africa were scheduled to play in the 2008 World Cup qualifiers as part of the Atlantic pool. They were forced to withdraw due to financial difficulties. The SARL plan to build up the domestic competition and participate in the qualifiers for the 2013 world cup.

In 2008 the South African Rhinos toured the North of England playing against Cumbria, Yorkshire, Lancashire and BARLA. South Africa failed to register a win during the tour.

The recent success of the 2008 Rugby League World Cup will provide further funds to develop the sport throughout Africa. The Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) will now have more funds to invest in development officers and continue assisting rugby league's growth. With the right support and the advancements made already South Africa will be ready to take part in the 2013 Rugby League World Cup qualifiers. If South Africa do qualify they will participate in the World Cup for the first time since 2000.

In early 2009 South Africa were ranked 23rd in World seedings by the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF).

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