The Journey of Errol Tobias - South Africa's First Black Springbok - Part 3 - "The Call"

1980 saw the British & Irish Lions come knocking on South Africa’s door again and a rich opportunity presented itself to Tobias when he was picked to play centre next to Argentinian fly-half Hugo Porta – an inventive, cerebral player who was widely considered to be the best in the world – in the South African Barbarians side. The combination bore fruit and earned Tobias' selection into the Junior Springbok team which took on the Barbarians in a curtain-raiser to the Springbok v Lions final test at Loftus Versveld on 12 July. Shortly before the conclusion of the test match, the main stand at Loftus, filled with white men, vibrated with the chant of ‘We want Errol! We want Errol!’ – such was the impression made by the young coloured fly-half. That evening when his phone rang, Tobias never expected Albert Ferrasse (president of the French Rugby Federation) to be on the other end, eager to offer him a contract; but he was. The very next morning, the phone rang again – this time a call from the Welsh Rugby Union with a similar offer.

They were immense, life-changing opportunities for the young man from Caledon. He ultimately turned the offers down, however – the dream of the Springbok jersey was just too great. 1980 was proving to be momentous year.

It should’ve come as no real surprise that Tobias’ name was read out amongst those called up to tour under the Springbok banner to South America.

“I was expecting the call and, in our lounge a small army of people were already crowding around me like bees buzzing around a flower.” wrote Tobias. Doctor Danie Craven, a giant in South African rugby and beloved mentor of Tobias offered sage advice:

“Remeber, Errol,” Craven said, “People who get the label of ‘the first this’ or ‘the first that’ hung around their necks – and it’s even worse when it concerns skin colour – have absolutely no control over that label. But they do have full control over their behaviour and their performance, which will ultimately determine whether that label carries any weight. If you do your best and achieve success then that label means nothing; it has no power over you. If you compete with people equally and achieve victory, then that guy will accept you as his equal.”