List of South Africa born British & Irish Lions Players- First Afrikaner for B&I Lions CJ Stander

Edit 2021– Duhan Van der Merwe is now the second Afrikaans player to play for the British and Irish Lions, playing in the 2021 tour of South Africa. CJ Stander was the first in 2017 (in the tour of New Zealand)

CJ Stander has become the first Afrikaans player to earn selection to the British and Irish Lions following his announced in the squad selected by Warren Gatland today.

Stander, a former Baby Bok skipper, was told by coach Heyneke Meyer that he was too short for a loose forward, and thus chose to move to Ireland, where he has already become a club legend of sorts at Munster and has been capped by Ireland.

Stander, while being the first Afrikaner to earn Lions selection, is not the first South African- eight other previous Saffa born players have been selected for the Lions.

South Africa born British Lions Rugby Players

Amateur era

RC Mullins (1896)
Stan Harris (1924)
Brian Black (1930)
Dyson Wilson (1955)

Pro Era

Mike Catt
Matt Stevens
Ian Evans
Brad Barritt
CJ Stander
Duhan van der Merwe

2 thoughts on “List of South Africa born British & Irish Lions Players- First Afrikaner for B&I Lions CJ Stander”

  1. Came across some SA-born Lions oldies:
    Brian Black, 1930 Lions tour to New Zealand
    Dyson Stayt ‘Tug’ Wilson, 1955 Lions tour to South Africa

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