THE IMMORTALS

Photos: Independent Media | Supplied By: MURRAY WILLIAMS

In days of yore, the Boks were once known as the most attacking team in the world. On the 1937 tour of New Zealand the Bok backs won praise for their innovative play. A key figure in that famous backline was Danie Craven and above making the dive pass famous in the series-clinching third Test in Auckland.

The 1937 Springboks remain the only Bok team to win a series on New Zealand soil

THE greatest Springbok achievement in New Zealand remains that of the giant-killers, the famous Boks of 1937. For, after a century of combat between the two countries, they remain the only Bok team to win a series on New Zealand soil.

Someone who knows what it feels like to beat the All Blacks is former Bok, Derek van den Berg, a doctor from Somerset West.

And his father knew too – playing lock in that legendary 1937 team.

“It’s the ultimate international, isn’t it – South Africa versus the All Blacks,” Van den Berg said. Early in the 1930s his father, Mauritz, used to sell ice cream at Newlands. He was already 21, but took a long look at the game of rugby and thought he might try his hand at it. He played for Western Province five years later. And two years on he was in the 1937 Bok team that toured Australia and New Zealand.

Almost 40 years later, his son put on the green and gold too. He faced the All Blacks in Durban in 1976 and tasted victory, as his father had.

“I always thought it was special that my father played against them – and that I did too,” Van den Berg said.

“The 1937 Boks were considered giant-killers.” The captain was Philip Nel, the vice captain Danie Craven, Louis Babrow was the star centre and Gerry Brand did the pinpoint kicking.

Former Bok Derek van den Berg looks at a photo of the 1937 Springbok team that beat the All Blacks. His father Mauritz was a member of the 1937 Bok team.

“They needed to win the last Test to win the series. But the team had no coach. So they telegrammed home to ask for a strategy. And the reply carried just three words: ’Scrum, scrum, scrum.’ That they did – and won.

“When they sailed back into Durban weeks later there were 10s of thousands of people in the harbour to greet them.” Van den Berg junior played prop in his day.

So, did he have to play the role of tough guy? “No, but I think my father was the ultimate enforcer, if ever there was one. Some of what we’d consider dirty play today was acceptable back then. They were a really tough bunch,” Van den Berg said.

Springbok captain Philip Nel shakes hands with his All Black counterpart, Ron King, ahead of the famous final Test in New Zealand in 1937.