The 1956, the Springbok tour of New Zealand sent the country into a frenzy, with massive crowds flocking to see them play.
Thanks to film maker Wally Messenger, we can show his wonderful highlights of when the mighty Springboks played the Buller-West Coast combined side at Victoria Square in Westport, on Wednesday, July 25th, 1956.
The West Coast-Buller combined team was as follows:
BACKS:
1. Alan McNabb (WC), 2. R. Burrow (B), 3. M. White (B), 4. A McEnaney (W.C), 5. L. Champion (WC)
6. A. Negri (WC), 7 P. Dent (B)
FORWARDS:
8. S. Orman (B), 9. K. Foster (WC), 10 T. Egerton (WC), 11.A. Hawes (B), 12. G. Anderson (B Captain), 13. J. Shaw (B), 14. J. Duncan (B), 15. B. Ross WC)
The Springbok team was as follows:
BACKS:
2. S.S Viviers (Captain), 10. J.J Nel , 4. P.G Johnstone, 9. A.L Kirkpatrick, 12. B.F Howe, 8. P.E. Montini, 14. T.A Gentles.
FORWARDS:
28. C.J de Wilzem, 32. J.J Starke, 23. J.T Claassen, C.J de Nysschen, 25. J.A.J Pickard, 18. P.S du Toit, 21. M. Hanekom, 19. H.N Walker
Full time score, 27-6.
Scorers:
South Africa: J.J Nel 2 tries, P.G Johnstone 1 try, C.J de Wilzem 1 try, J.A.J Pickard, 1 try, A.I Kirkpatrick 1 try
S.S Viviers 3 conversions, P.G Johnstone 1 penalty
Buller-West Coast: B.L Ross, try, A.A McNabb penalty
A special thank you to Patrick at McBride Vision & Robert Messenger, for their help in allowing us to make these images to come to life once more.