LOT 38 1977 Noord Transvaal

Various Noord Transvaal/World XV related items

Items & Provenance

Comprising three white World XV jerseys with blue detail, bearing NTRU Loftus Verfeld 1977 commemorative crests with Barberton daisy. Numbered 11, 11 and 9. Manufacturer label for Maxmore. A zipped tracksuit top with similar crest. An all-blue match-jersey for the Noord Transvaal side with similar crest to above and bearing dark blue No.9 and another unnumbered similar. All complete and in original condition.

Provenance: the personal collection of Sir Gareth Edwards CBE & family.

The Match

In the summer of 1977, a World XV was assembled for a short tour to South Africa. A match against a South Africa XV was arranged to commemorate the rebuilding of the new Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, which was hailed as the most modern rugby stadium in world. The World XV were also to play a match against Noord Transvaal at Loftus Versfeld, their home ground as well as Western Transvaal.

The 1977 World XV featured, amongst others, Willie John McBride, Jean-Pierre Rives, Ian Kirkpatrick, Andy Haden, Gareth Edwards, Jean-Luc Averous and JPR Williams. Of the 1977 visit, Sir Gareth Edwards in his autobiography observed the social changes in South Africa with cautious optimism.

Sir Gareth Recalls

‘A wonderful experience to play with so many different players from around the World’.

Estimate: £400-600