World XV

South Africa first played a World XV in Pretoria on 27 August 1977. The World side included Gareth Edwards, JPR Williams, Willie John McBride, and Sandy Carmichael. A crowd of 65,000 watched as Morné du Plessis' South Africans led by 22–14 at half-time to eventually defeat the World XV by 45–24. During the match Argentinian flyhalf Hugo Porta came on as a replacement. Flank Theuns Stofberg added two tries to one each by Gerrie Germishuys, Hermanus Potgieter,[2] Dawie Snyman, and Barry Wolmarans (on debut) for the Springboks.[3] Four days later, the World XV played Western Province at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town. This time Porta started alongside Williams, McBride, and Carmichael, with Alan Sutherland facing off against Du Plessis. At 3.30pm coloured player Errol Tobias, representing the South African Federation, was on the reserve bench for the World XV, as he had been for the 2pm match between a Presidents' XV and Western Province B.[4]

In 1989 a World XV, sanctioned by the IRB and funded by South African Breweries, played two tests against South Africa in celebration of the centenary of the South African Rugby Board (SARB). The Springboks won both, by 20–19 at Newlands Stadium in Cape Town and the second by 22–16 on 2 September at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.

In May and June 2006 a World XV, sponsored by South African company Steinhoff Holdings and coached by Bob Dwyer, played three games – against Saracens in London, then against South Africa at Ellis Park and Western Province XV at Newlands. The latter match was a testimonial for former South Africa captain Corné Krige, who led the Western Province side. In December 2006, again coached by Dwyer, a Steinhoff-backed World XV played a South Africa XV at Walkers Stadium in Leicester, losing 32–7. This game was to mark the centenary of South Africa's overseas tours.

In 2014, a World XV captained by Matt Giteau and coached by Nick Mallett played a South Africa XV, who won 45–24.[5]

In 1980 and 1983, Argentina, played a World XV twice. The first match was played at Ferrocarril Oeste Stadium, Buenos Aires.[6] Argentina went into half time ahead by 16 points to nil and despite an excellent display in the second half by the World XV Argentina were able to secure a 36–22 win. The second match was played in Atlanta Stadium, Buenos Aires, where Argentina secured a second victory 28–20.

In 1992, a World XV played three matches against the All Blacks in New Zealand. The first encounter between the two sides ended in a 24–14 win for the World XV, the first time a World XV won against a national team. However, New Zealand won the second match 54–26, and the third match 26–15. The tour was to mark the centenary of the New Zealand Rugby Union in 1992.

In 2008, a World XV played a Wales XV side, which acted as a testimonial match for Welsh player Shane Williams. In total there were 19 tries scored in the match, which was played at the Millennium Stadium, with Williams scoring the match-winning try as Wales won 65–57. Later in 2008, a World XV played a Coronation Tongan XV side, in a game to celebrate the coronation of Tonga's King, George Tupou V. Tonga won the match 60–26, beating the Colin Charvis-captained side that included players from Australia, England, Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa and Wales.[7]

In March 2019, a World XV captained by Andrew Ellis and coached by Robbie Deans played Western Force, who won 26–16 as the opener of the 2019 Global Rapid Rugby season in HBF Park, Perth.[8]