People thought I ought to be bitter about that but in the first one, Tom Kiernan was captain and he played magnificently, and on the second tour JPR was braver and better than me, so I didn’t mind.
Lions tours were fantastic, it was such a privilege to be on tour. They both lasted three-and-a-half months so for seven months I played with and enjoyed the company of some of the best players in the world. Even Chico Hopkins! Both tours were very happy tours, we had a great time and we played good rugby and we were reasonably successful. Looking back, that was the highlight of my rugby career. I couldn’t believe I’d been picked. We got a rand for daily expenses. As there was two rand to the pound, so that was the princely sum of 50p. We’d have all gone for nothing, though.
It was during that tour that I acquired the nickname “The Boss”. Ronnie Dawson gave it to me and I still don’t fully understand the reasons why. It caught on though, and to this day none of the players that I went on tour with call me Bob, they call me Boss. It even caught on among the black people in the crowds. As they had the cheapest seats behind the goals, which were nearest to the pitch, I could hear them calling over to me, ‘Boss Hiller, Boss Hiller’. They hated the Springboks so I would gee them up even more. We needed all the support we could get.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
