Willie Hills: Springboks career, "rude Afrikaners" & 1992 year-end tour

In this episode of Front Row Rugby Springbok Rugby legend Willie Hills discusses how an Afrikaner came to be named Hills, his debut against France and how the French made life very difficult for the Springboks in 1992. Willie talks about how his unique skills set allowed him to play flank, loosehead, tighthead and hooker. Hills also shares his thoughts on the amateur and professional eras, why it was difficult for the 1992 Springboks to come together and how Garth Wright played an instrumental role in the naming of his daughter!

00:00 Introduction by Peter
00:30 Willie explains how he came to be a Hills
00:57 Playing flank and in the front row
03:31 Beating France in France
04:51 The difficulties of touring France
07:23 Provincialism on the 1992 tour
10:42 Willie Hills’ favourite position
11:34 Beating the Wallabies in Australia
13:24 Willie’s Springbok Rugby career ends
14:22 Not being able to play professional rugby
16:22 Garth Wright names Willie’s newborn daughter

Peter says: I love the Springboks and rugby is one of my favourite sports. Although as a sports journalist I am supposed to remain neutral, I always like to point out that before I became a professional, I was just a big fan! I hold a Masters Degree in International Journalism so at least you know I should be able to ask a good question or two! My dream is to do this YouTube Channel permanently. You can help me out by liking the videos, subscribing to the channel and hitting the notification bell. You can subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsNRM25J3TGEY2hzqDuNwtQ?sub_confirmation=1

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