THE name of Jim Roxburgh may not ring many bells for rugby fans up here in the north but the former Australia prop, who died aged 77 in Sydney last week, was one of those Aussies who stood up to be counted in the fight against apartheid over 50 years ago.
The former Sydney University star, below, made his Australia debut against New Zealand in 1968 at the age of 23 and was ever-present in all four Tests in South Africa the following year where he shone in adversity, improving game on game, and all looked set fair for a considerable international career.
Roxburgh though had been disgusted by what he had seen travelling throughout South Africa and was one of seven Aussies players who, on their return, publically declared they would not be available for selection when South Africa were due to tour Australia in 1971. The ‘Rugby Seven’ were Jim Boyce, Tony Abrahams, Paul Darveniza, Terry Forman, Barry McDonald, Bruce Taafewho and Roxburgh and, although their stand was applauded by many, they were henceforth banished from the Australia team.
Nor did their stance result in the cancelling of the 1971 tour, which is a forgotten tour that is worth revisiting some time. As contentious as the Boks tour to Britain in 1969-70, it resulted in over 700 arrests nationwide as protesters made their views known while a state of emergency was declared in Queensland during the touring party’s stay there.
In later life Roxburgh suffered from dementia and has donated his brain to the Sydney Brain Bank which is investigating chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) as a possible cause of the condition.
