Due to a great misunderstanding and a change of procedures after test matches, the Springboks failed to turn up at the cocktail party after the first test at Newlands in 1949.

I was the manager of the side and naturally got the blame. The man who attacked me most vigorously was "Oom" Boy, many years my senior, and we went for each other hammer and tongs.

Eventually our differences were sorted out but during our tiff I had gained a valuable insight into this remarkable man. He obviously had a grand passion for the game and deeply respected its traditions.

To this day I remember him uttering these words: "The game and its spirit dictates - nothing else - everything should be done according to that spirit."

How true!