‘Springboks kicked the crap out of us in Battle of Pretoria’ – Kevin Maggs recalls Ireland’s ‘mad’ Test in 1998
‘That (second) Test was just one of the dirtiest games I’ve ever been involved in’
Keith Wood and Kevin Maggs of Ireland tackle McNeil Hendricks of South Africa during the second Test in 1998
The occasion was dubbed the ‘Battle of Pretoria’ with compelling reason behind the naming rights and Kevin Maggs has never entirely parted company with the memory even after 26 years.
This was the second and deciding Test between South Africa and Ireland seven days on from a niggly enough opener in an intimidating Bloemfontein which had seen the hosts pull away to win 37-13, future Ulster player Stefan Terblanche marking his debut with four tries.
