Page "British and Irish Lions" Paragraph 32

One of the best-known and most successful Lions team toured South Africa in 1974 under the esteemed Irish forward Willie John McBride.

It went through 22 games unbeaten, and triumphed 3 – 0 ( with one drawn ) in the test series.

The test series featured a lot of violence.

The management of the Lions concluded that the Springboks dominated their opponents with physical aggression.

At that time test-match referees came from the home nation, substitutions took place only if a doctor found a player unable to continue and there were no video cameras or sideline officials to prevent violent play.

The Lions decided " to get their retaliation in first " with the infamous " 99 call ".

The Lions postulated that a South African referee would probably not send off all of the Lions if they all retaliated against " blatant thuggery ".

Famous video footage of the ' battle of Boet Erasmus Stadium ' shows JPR Williams running over half of the pitch and launching himself at van Heerden after such a call.