Invincibles, The

In 1974, the British Lions, citing a passion for rugby that surpassed politics, defied the mood of the day to tour Apartheid South Africa. At the time, the Springboks had never been defeated on their own soil, but Willie-John MacBride’s astoundingly organised and highly professional team put an end to this and won 19 regional matches and 3 tests, drawing the final test.

For three months, using advanced tactics, cohesive teamwork, consummate skill and unexpected speed, the Lions systematically embarrassed the South African teams in front of capacity crowds. The South Africans retaliated with a violence that resulted in one of the bloodiest rugby matches ever recorded.

Drawn from archive footage, and reminiscences of Lions and Bok players, this documentary transcends sport and reveals the energy and passion of a young team that inadvertently, resoundingly, bloodied the nose of Apartheid’s most effective propaganda tool.