HARDLY a mention could I find in media coverage before Sunday’s match at Murrayfield of the South Africa game there in 1951. Perhaps not surprising, since we lost 44-0. But that event is burned into my memory.
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Returning to my Edinburgh home as a sad 16-year-old after being at the game, I heard music coming from the lounge. There I found four large men singing hymns as my mother Lizzie accompanied them on her organ. All were members of the team I saw demolish Scotland. My sole regret is not taking a note of the players’ names.
Perhaps their contact was my father, George, an elder at South Leith Church. I wonder if any Springboks will be found on Leith Walk on Sunday night looking to sing hymns.
Bill Sinclair
via email
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