SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY LEAGUE NATION OVERVIEW
Information on this page was updated 14/4/14
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 growing at a steady rate.
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.
In late 2011 South Africa were ranked 22nd in World seedings by the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF).
In February 2012 South Africa where awarded full membership status by the Rugby League European Federation (RLEF).
South Africa failed to qualify for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup. With a new board and the assistance of the RLEF South Africa are now focusing on building local competitions and will be aiming for a place in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup.
Dear Readers, If you have first hand knowledge of the current Rugby League situation in South Africa we would love to hear from you. Please email us at: webmaster@rugbyleagueplanet.com or join our international rugby league Forums at http://forums.rugbyleagueplanet.com and let us all know what’s going on in your part of the world.
SOUTH AFRICAN INTERNATIONAL RUGBY LEAGUE RESULTS
2015 Rugby League Results
May 2nd South Africa 4 v Niue 48, Campbelltown (Test)
Apr 26th South Africa 32 v Philippines 28, Moorebank (Test)
2013 Rugby League Results
Oct 18th South Africa 18 v NSW Country 58
2011 Rugby League Results
Oct 19th South Africa 6 – Jamaica 20 (World Cup Qualifiers Atlantic)
Oct 15th United States 40 – South Africa 4 (World Cup Qualifiers Atlantic)
Oct 9th Canada 22 – South Africa 36
2010 Rugby League Results
Jul 28th South Africa Students 0 – GB Community Lions 70
Jul 24th South Africa A 22 – GB Community Lions 42
Jun 6th BARLA Young Lions 44 – South Africa Under 21’s 30
Jun 2nd BARLA Young Lions 24 – South Africa Presidents 22
May 29th BARLA Young Lions 78 – South Africa Schools 0
May 26th BARLA Young Lions 76 – South Africa Junior Development 0
May 22nd BARLA U19’s 50 – South Africa 18
2009 Rugby League Results
Jul 22nd Australian Universities 52 – South Africa A 6
Jul 18th Australian Universities 46 – South Africa 12
Jun 26th British Army 38 – South Africa 34
Jun 24th British Army 42 – South Africa A 22
2008 Rugby League Results
Oct 17th BARLA 74 – South Africa 4
Oct 12th Yorkshire 66 – South Africa 6
Oct 8th Cumbria 44 – South Africa 34
Oct 5th Lancashire 55 – South Africa 12
2007 Rugby League Results
Jun 16th BARLA 42 – South Africa 10
Jun 9th BARLA 30 – South Africa 12
2006 Rugby League Results
Jun 13th South Africa 60 – Italy 20
Jun 12th South Africa 76 – Italy 6
Jun 9th BARLA 34 – South Africa 14
2004 Rugby League Results
Oct 9th South Africa 50 – West Indies 22
2000 Rugby League Results
Nov 5th France 56 – South Africa 6 (World Cup)
Nov 2nd Papua New Guinea 16 – South Africa 0 (World Cup)
Oct 28th Tonga 66 – South Africa 18 (World Cup)
Oct 19th Wales 40 – South Africa 8
1995 Rugby League Results
Oct 14th England 46 – South Africa 0 (World Cup)
Oct 10th Australia 86 – South Africa 6 (World Cup)
Oct 8th Fiji 52 – South Africa 6 (World Cup)
1992 Rugby League Results
Russia 30 – South Africa 26
Russia 22 – South Africa 19
1963 Rugby League Results
Jul 27th Australia 54 – South Africa 21 (Test Series)
Jul 20th Australia 34 – South Africa 6 (Test Series)
