The most brutal match in professional rugby history

This video shows one of the most brutal and violent matches that professional rugby has ever seen: the second test between the Springboks and Lions in 2009. It might not compare to the violent nature of the old amateur internationals but this has to be one of the most brutal games in rugby history. The collisions were immense and both teams desperately wanted to win.

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Rugby Manual is a hub for dedicated rugby fans, covering the most controversial topics, embarrassing moments, rugby hits, rugby highlights, rugby fights & rugby player breakdowns!

This educational video offers insight into the best tackles rugby has seen! showcasing the most brutal and violent matches that professional rugby has ever seen

#brutalrugbymatch #rugbyhits #bigrugbytackles

[damirhlobik]

The Springboks have a new admirer who is not a rugby fan at all, greetings from Croatia

[jksinorbit]

Epic series...the Lions fans were good tourists too, joining in with the festivities after every match. They are welcome back anytime!

[mauroger]

"thats a great play from odrisscoll" says the commentator after he literally almost KOs a player by a tackle with no wrap?

[oshatlarge]

Truth is, Ref was absolutely awful, the amount of high tackles, this is life changing sort of stuff, there is a good reason why TMO's were introduced. And if you truly believe that changed the game for the worse than you actively neglect the well being of others

[robinwilliams]

That was the peak of rugby the game was professional and high quality but you could still have a fight and no tmo every 2 minutes.

[aidanmasterson]

As an Irishman, I enjoyed this tour and especially this game. Outside the physicality of it there was some super rugby but for me the most brutal match I seen was the .2002 Springbok v England match. It was pure filth with England playing all the rugby.

[speleokeir]

Eye gouging is a clear red card offense and Schalk Burger should have been sent off. The only reason he wasn't is that it was only 30 secs into the game and the ref didn't want to ruin the contest.

Like most fans I want to see a competitive match between two sides with 15 men on the pitch, but he really should have gone there's no question of that. However would we have had such an epic contest if he had?

[RugbyManual]

One of the most exhilarating and brutal rugby matches of all time

0:30 20 seconds into the game Schalk Burger gouged Luke Fitzgerald's eye

This was spotted by the linesman and Burger was given just a yellow card for the offence

1:17 Brian O'Driscoll exchanged shoves with Victor Matfield which provoked both sides

3:19 Rob Kearney was taken out late

Bakkies Botha told Mike Phillips he had "sexy blue eyes"

The second half was even more brutal

Mike Phillips questioned the South African forwards as to if they were on steroids

3:48 Botha cleaned out Adam Jones from a ruck dislocating his shoulder

4:14 He then tried to wind up his replacement Andrew Sheridan

4:55 Sheridan caught Andries Bekker with a low blow in a maul (missed by the officials)

5:12 Pierre Spies charged at the Lions' defence sending Jamie Roberts flying

5:18 Brian O'Driscoll blindsided Danie Roussow knocking him out and concussing himself in the process

O'Driscoll played a few more minutes and was replaced by Ronan O'Gara

6:22 On another charge from Pierre Spies, he knocked out O'Gara who then missed a crucial tackle on Jaque Fourie

7:14 Shane Williams on the counter-attack was smashed by Heinrich Brussow

Hope you enjoyed the video!

[brizzibutch]

"touch, touch, no try" … ref blows a try 😂

[jacqloock]

Underrated Lions team — best of the professional era IMHO

[Slappies]

One of the best comebacks from South Africa.

[mazambane]

The game which proved Sheridan was not the prop he fondly thought he was.

[CraigChadderton-kced]

No red card for eye gouging. Great ref

[ianmartin]

Can south Africa play a game without playing dirty?

[NasinuWarrior]

This was the dream SA team that won the 2007 RWC. Almost lost to the Flying Fijians in that epic QFs match.

[mattie]

Happy to say i was there. Great match, great memories.

[fuzzynut]

o'gara was hated for that, only made a cameo and killed the game

[JonathanRichards-jm]

Bakkies Botha should have been banned for the take out on Adam Jones, clearly rargetted his charge to break his shoulder. . A cowardly cheap shot.

[gymfan]

My favourite match ever, the intensity and physicality was unreal

[sambog]

eye gouging, high tackles, dirty play by boks,