From the match programme:-
"RODNEY COMMENTARY"
"NEWPORT'S SPRINGBOKS LINKS . . ."
"Newport Rugby Club have a long association with national and other teams from South Africa. In fact, it was as far back as 1906 that Newport first entertained the Springboks who toured Britain under the captaincy of Paul Roos. Newport lost that match 8-0, but six years later they turned the tables on the Second Springboks and defeated them 9-3."
"Newport were the first team to defeat Bill Millar's powerful South African team, and their reward for doing so was the presentation of a stuffed Springbok's head, which still occupies a prominent place in Newport's gallery of trophies."
"All Newport's points in that game were scored by their full back Fred Birt. He scored a try which he converted, and dropped a goal. The Springboks, whose try was scored by second row forward Douglas Morkel, went on to beat Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England, as well as France."
"Since then, Newport have lost to the 1931, 1952 and 1960 Springboks, but in 1969 they defeated the Sixth Springboks, who were led by Dawie de Villiers. He later became the South African ambassador to Britain, and during his term of office he was a special guest at one of Newport Rugby Club's annual dinners."
"Besides the matches with the Springboks, Newport have entertained other teams from South Africa. In 1956 they were beaten 6-3 by the combined Stellenbosch and Capetown universities, and in 1979 they defeatd the South African Barbarians 21-15. The Barbarians fielded a multi-racial combination, which included that outstanding outside half Errol Tobias, who went on to play for South Africa in two Tests against Ireland in 1981."
"Back in 1973 Newport carried out a six-match tour of South Africa, but those who took part in it will have rueful recollections of their matches, particularly the last one which was against Transvaal, who trounced them 64-15. Newport had also lost their other five games against Natal, Rhodesia, Northern Transvaal, South Eastern Transvaal and Western Province."
"Two teams from overseas have been lined up to play Newport's newly-formed under-21 team in the new year. On January 4 they will entertain a team from Argentina?the under-21 hopefuls of the Pueyrrebon club. The following month another South African team will visit Rodney Parade. The players will be drawn from Natal University and they will play Newport under-21 team on February 8. These two fixtures should give Newport's young players valuable experience."
"Incidentally, Newport members were pleased to see Mr. Bob Atkins, the club's vice-chairman, back at Rodney Parade after a lengthy stay in hospital. He is one of the most respected personalities at the club, and he enjoys the distinction of being chairman during one of the most successful campaigns in their history."
"WILLIS HUNTLEY"
"TONIGHT'S VISITORS"
"WARM GREETINGS TO TRANSVAAL . . ."
"Transvaal, who are making their first visit to Rodney Parade tonight, have always had a reputation for producing some of the world's greatest players. Remember those magnificent forwards Basie van Wyk, Hennie Muller, Basil Kenyon, Avril Malan and John Classen, and those excellent backs John Buchler, Hendrik van Zyl, Michael Antelme and Syd Nomis, to mention just a few!"
"Today Transvaal are still producing outstanding players. So much so that the South African national squad who recently came to Europe to play France and England, as well as other representative teams from these two countries, included a number of players from Transvaal's Provincial championship team. Among them were Garth Wright, Pieter Hendriks, Heinrich Rodgers, James Small and Theo van Rensburg."
"Transvaal were also represented in the World XV who played three Tests against New Zealand in the latter's centenary festival a year ago. Their left wing Pieter Hendricks played in all the Tests and scored two tries to help the World Team win 28-14 in the first Test. Hendricks also scored a try in the second Test."
"Full back Theo van Rensburg and James Small are in the Transvaal squad for tonight's game. Both played for South Africa against England in the last match of the Springboks tour a week ago."
"Transvaal, the Currie Cup runners-up, have three other Springboks in their party. They are Hendrik Le Roux, Heinrich Fuls and Francois Pienaar. Another member of the squad is not a newcomer to Welsh club rugby. He is prop forward Barlie Swart, who last season played for Ebbw Vale in a number of matches."
"For the record, and perhaps future reference, the other members of the Transvaal party are J. Thompson, L.O. Louw, P. Durandt, R. Blew, J. Mitchell, K. Wiese, L. Labuschagne, G. Riekert, D. Letter, C. Dirks, B. Fourie, H. Wiggett, J. Gerber, J. Dalton, H. Portwig, C. Niemand, T. Stewart, J. Van Der Merwe and S. Jacobs."
"WILLIS HUNTLEY"