Nongqai Vol 17 No 10 – (25) Information & Photographs Requested: Rugby in the South African Forces before 1995

Information & Photographs Requested: Rugby in the South African Forces before 1995 Request to the Editorial Team

Piet Ebersohn

Excerpt (1 line)

A call for historical information and photographs on rugby within the South African Forces before 1995.

Abstract

This notice invites contributions of information, documents, and photographs relating to the history of rugby in the South African Forces prior to 1995. The aim is to preserve, document, and present this sporting heritage for future research and publication.

Keywords

South African Forces, rugby history, military sport, archival photographs, pre‑1995 rugby, historical research, contributions requested, SA Police, SA Defence Force, SA Prison’s Department, POW, Ganspan, Andalusia, 93 Ammo Depot, Union Defence Force, Vryburg – Rugby, Jan Kempdorp Rugby Club, SA Railways Police,

Letter 1: Wartime Rugby

Dear Editor

I am hoping to write a history on rugby at Vaalharts and hope your readers can help me with the military rugby of which very little is known.

Early in WWII internment and POW camps were established at Andalusia (Germans), Border (Italians) and Ganspan (Afrikaners) and there would have been military personnel to administer and guard them. In 1943 the British Royal Navy established an ammunition depot at Ganspan. The Union Defence Force only established the present 93 Ammo Depot after the war.

The first mention of a military team from Andalusia was found in 1943 when they played Vryburg II at Vryburg. Much later 3 SAI B Coy was established at Ganspan and played in the local league, probably in the 1970’s or 1980’s.

There were periods like the late 1960’s to early 1970’s that the Ganspan soldiers played for Jan Kempdorp Rugby Club. An WO Smith from Ganspan coached the JKD RC at that stage. Also, in these years a number of soldiers, on their way to a rugby match, were killed when a train hit a troop carrier.

I need as much as possible information on any military team or club active in the area, please, especially team pictures and anecdotes as well as information about the above-mentioned accident.

Readers can email me at oietebersohn1@gmail.com, please. (The wrong “o” is correct.)

Thank you very much for the opportunity.

Kind regards

Piet Ebersohn

Letter 2: Rugby: SA Forces

Dear Editor

I am researching South African forces rugby in the amateur era – until 1995 – hoping to publish a book on it.

This refers to Combined Services as well as the national Police, Defence Force, Correctional Services and Railway Police teams.

I am looking for as many as possible team pictures, teams as published in match programmes and anecdotes, please.

I hope there are many of you readers who can help me in this respect.

Please email me at oietebersohn1@gmail.com, please. (The misplaced “o” is correct.)

Thank you very much for this opportunity.

Kind regards

Piet Ebersohn