1998 Ireland rugby union tour of South Africa Trevor Brennan also made their senior international debuts in the same game. A fourth debutant, Justin Bishop, scored a try while Eric Elwood added a conversion and two penalties. 1998 Ireland rugby union tour of South Africa 1998 Ireland rugby union tour of South Africa. The Ireland national rugby union team embarked on their third tour of South Africa, having previously visited in 1961 and 1981. Both Paul Wallace and Keith Wood had previously been on a tour to South Africa with the British and Irish Lions in 1997. Cape Town-born Dion O'Cuinneagain, had captained South Africa at both schoolboy
Rugby union in Niger Rugby union in Niger Rugby union in Niger is a minor but growing sport. The governing body is the Nigerien Rugby Federation (Federation Nigerienne de Rugby), which is affiliated to the Confederation of African Rugby. Niger was formerly a French colony, and the game was first introduced there by French expatriates. In recent years, the game has been played mostly by natives. As with many minor rugby nations, the sport is centred on the national capital, Niamey. Niger rates low the Human Development Index, which means it is extremely poor, and lacks the infrastructure that would improve its rugby standing.