1972 England rugby union tour of South Africa

This first tour undertaken by England to tour South Africa was organised with a very demanding schedule, although with only 1 Test Match. Within 2 weeks and 3 days, 7 matches were to be played, the first 4 at sea level, and the last 3, including the Test Match, at the altitude in the High Veldt with only 2 days to acclimatise before a demanding fixture against Northern Transvaal. From the outset, under Captain John Pullin and the management of Alec Lewis and John Elders, there was a buoyant and optimistic spirit in the squad, as if they were determined to erase the memories of the last few seasons of undistinguished English performances.

Matches

:"Scores and results list England's points tally first."

Touring Party

*Manager: A.O. Lewis
*Assistant Manager: J. Elders
*Captain: J.V. Pullin (Bristol) 24 Caps

Full Backs

*S.A. Doble (Moseley) No Caps
*D. Whibley (Leicester) No Caps

Three-Quarters

*J.P.A.G. Janion (Bedford) 8 Caps
*P.M. Knight (Bristol) 2 Caps
*A.J. Morley (Bristol) No Caps
*P.S. Preece (Coventry) No Caps
*A.A. Richards (Fylde) No Caps
*J.S. Spencer (Headingley) 15 Caps

Half-Backs

*A.G.B. Old (Middlesbrough) 4 Caps
*T.Palmer (Gloucester) No Caps
*L.E. Weston (West of Scotland) 2 Caps
*J.G. Webster (Moseley) 2 Caps
*S.J. Smith (Wilmslow) No Caps (Replacement for L.E. Weston)

Forwards

*J. Barton (Coventry) 4 Caps
*A.V. Boddy (Metropolitan Police) No Caps
*M.A. Burton (Gloucester) 4 Caps
*F.E. Cotton (Loughborough College) 3 Caps
*T. Cowell (Rugby) No Caps
*P.J. Larter (Northampton) 21 Caps
*A. Neary (Broughton Park) 4 Caps
*J.V. Pullin (Bristol) 24 Caps
*C.W. Ralston (Richmond) 6 Caps
*A.G. Ripley (Rosslyn Park) 4 Caps
*C.B. Stevens (Harlequins) 9 Caps
*J.A. Watkins (Gloucester) No Caps
*B.E.J. Watt (Bristol) 4 Caps