Tourists head and shoulders above Britain and Ireland

Six Southern Hemisphere teams have completed the Grand Slam of test wins over England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. South Africa have won four and New Zealand and Australia one each.

Here's how they came about, excluding the All Blacks' effort in 1978.


South Africa 1912-13

The second Springbok team to cross the equator based their success on a massive pack which won them a grand slam plus a victory over France.

The side were led by loose forward Billy Millar, who had been badly wounded as a 15-year-old in the Boer War. Hiking, mountaineering, boxing and rugby helped his rehabilitation.

After he was wounded again in World War I he became an international referee.

Results: Scotland 16-0, Ireland 38-0, Wales 3-0, England 9-3


South Africa 1931-2

Rugby was firmly entrenched as the sport of the Afrikaner and South Africa were the world's dominant nation, with the University of Stellenbosch playing a prominent role as the game's unofficial academy.

Danie Craven, who was to become known as "Mr Rugby" during a lifetime as a player, coach and administrator, made his first tour at halfback in partnership with captain Bennie Osler.

Osler's reliance on the boot was criticised both at home and abroad but his tactics were successful and he was a big influence on later generations of Springbok first fives.

Results: Wales 8-3, Ireland 8-3, England 7-0, Scotland 6-3


South Africa 1951-2

After defeating the All Blacks 4-0 at home in 1949, the lowest point in New Zealand's rugby history, South Africa remained the undisputed kings of world rugby.

Now coached by Craven, and captained by their dynamic No 8 Hennie Muller, they played innovative, exciting and successful rugby, losing just one of 31 games.

Results: Scotland 44-0, Ireland 17-5, Wales 6-3, England 8-3


South Africa 1960-1

Under Avril Malan the Springboks returned to their ruthless, physical pre-war style, grinding out a fourth Grand Slam but winning few friends in the process.

A 0-0 draw with France followed a threat by the referee to call off the game after a series of violent exchanges in the opening stages.

Results: Wales 3-0, Ireland 8-3, England 5-0, Scotland 12-5


Australia 1984

The genius of Mark Ella at first five-eighth combined with the brilliance of David Campese on the wing and the all-round excellence of Michael Lynagh in the centres confirmed the Wallabies had arrived as a world power.

Ella scored a try in each of the four tests.

Good as the Australians were, the scorelines also reflect the weakness of British and Irish rugby at a time when the Southern Hemisphere ruled the global game.

Results: England 19-3, Ireland 16-9, Wales 28-9, Scotland 37-12