Why fists flew in the dirtiest World Cup match ever
Springboks’ clash with Canada in 1995 was vicious – but it had silver lining, writes Daniel Schofield
Canada’s game against South Africa in Kobe yesterday was the teams’ first meeting in the World Cup since an infamous night 24 years ago which became known as the “Battle of Boet Erasmus”. Forget the five red cards at this tournament; this was the dirtiest match in World Cup history.
Technically, it was the second Battle of Boet Erasmus after the Lions deployed the “99” call to fight fire with fire against the Springboks in 1974. This was played in the same ferocious mean spirit that belied Port Elizabeth’s reputation as the “friendly city”.
Both teams headed into the final Pool A game needing a victory to reach the knockout stages. Canada, who had reached the last eight in 1991, knew they were underdogs but were determined to meet the Springboks head on in the physical confrontations. “As captain I implored us not to take a backward step and to look after each other,” Gareth Rees said. That South Africa coach Kitch Christie was quoted as saying: “After Saturday, we’ll get serious,” further fuelled the Canucks’ motivation.
Even before the game kicked off, the omens were foreboding. No sooner had the anthems finished than the lights went out, plunging the stadium into darkness and the players into confusion. “We heard a rumour that might happen,” Rees, now the Canada media manager, said. “There was a power station next door and there was still some conjecture about who did and didn’t want the World Cup to happen.”
With the tension mounting, the game eventually got under way 45 minutes late and Canada immediately set about getting under South Africa’s skin. “We did not have a major line-out presence, which changed our approach,” Rees said. “We tried to play a frantic, athletic style, which upset them a little bit. There was a lot of niggle. There was a whole parade of incidents, a lot of off-the-ball stuff; our full-back was taken out in the air.” All it needed was a spark, which duly arrived after 70 minutes and featured two unlikely protagonists: wingers Pieter Hendriks and Winston Stanley. Hendriks body-checked Canada’s Stanley after he had dropped the ball. The pair initially squared up, but the situation seemed to have calmed down until Canada full-back Scott Stewart, coming in off a long run-up, shoved Hendriks into the advertising hoardings. Cue bedlam. This was not one of those pushing and shoving contests where not a single punch was thrown. Fists and boots went flying, particularly led by South Africans Kobus Wiese and Hennie le Roux. Canada responded in kind with Hannes Strydom leaving the field with blood pouring from his face.
“Our winger was getting manhandled by Hendriks off the park and our full-back came in to protect him,” Rees said. “There is a culture in both those teams that you stick up for each other. You stand shoulder to shoulder with your brother, so basically that is what happened there.”
Referee David Mchugh, whose repeated whistling had been ignored during the brawl, sent off three players: South Africa’s James Dalton, Canada’s Rod Snow and, to his own surprise, Rees.
“I think I received a red for intent rather than a great deal achieved,” Rees said.
“I was just reacting to a team-mate being held by two South Africans and being punched by a third. David is a friend of mine and I actually have the red card he showed me that night in my office at home signed by him.”
Yet there was a happy ending of sorts to the game, which South Africa won 20-0. Hendriks was suspended for 90 days, allowing Chester Williams to return to the squad. His involvement as South Africa’s only black player became an iconic part of World Cup mythology.
“He was a great guy and that was a wonderful story,” Rees said. “That would not have happened without that flare-up.”
‘I implored us not to take a backward step and to look after each other’