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South African players competing against Denmark in 2008 AFIC

The South African national Australian rules football team (nicknamed the Lions) represent South Africa in the sport of Australian rules football.

The senior side represents the best South African born players as selected from clubs and leagues of AFL South Africa.

South Africa had its international debut at the 2002 Australian Football International Cup but the inexperienced team went through the tournament winless. It registered its first international win in the 2005 Australian Football International Cup against Japan.

Since 2007, through significant development funding and reciprocal tours, South Africa has regularly competed against junior teams from Australia. Although it has improved substantially it is still some way from the top senior international sides.

[edit] Identity

The team is nicknamed the Lions, although at the 2002 International Cup and 2005 International Cup they were known as the Buffaloes.

They have worn a different jumper at each International Cup, with the first jumper green with gold and red wings, the second green with a gold yoke, and the current jumper based on the Flag of South Africa with a stylized Lion.

[edit] History

The team competed in the 2002 Australian Football International Cup in Melbourne, Australia, finishing in 11th place.

A much improved Buffaloes outfit (reflecting the development of junior footy in South Africa) achieved 8th ranking at the 2005 International Cup.

The Buffalo's best and fairest player (from the 2005 International Cup) is Steven Malinga.

Since 2006, the team has played annually against the "Flying Boomerangs" under 18 indigenous Australian squad, with tours alternating between South Africa and the Northern Territory in Australia.

On the 14th of April, 2007, the Buffaloes played a historic match against Australia's AIS Under 17 squad at North West Cricket Stadium in Potchefstroom, South Africa.^[1] The team was soundly defeated.

Later in that year, the Buffaloes defeated the touring Australian Convicts side.

In the warm-up to the 2008 Australian Football International Cup, South Africa gave a Melbourne based multicultural team organised by the AFL and known as "Team Africa" a football lesson. Surprising many with their skill and pace, they went on to go undefeated through the first 3 pool rounds including a win against the USA and secured a finals berth against the 2005 runners-up Papua New Guinea. However Papua New Guinea were too good for the much improved South Africans.

[edit] Results

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

[edit] 2002

[edit] International Cup

New Zealand 25.13 (163) def South Africa 0.1 (1)
Canada 4.11 (38) def South Africa 1.5 (11)
Samoa 12.15 (87) def South Africa 1.4 (10)
Ireland 15.8 (98) def South Africa 3.3 (21)
USA 20.12 (132) def South Africa 0.4 (4)

[edit] 2005

[edit] International Cup

USA 9.8 (62) def South Africa 4.10 (34)
South Africa 4.6 (30) def Japan 4.4 (28)
Ireland 10.9 (69) def South Africa 1.4 (10)
South Africa 12.12 (84) def Spain 2.1 (13)
Samoa 7.8 (50) def South Africa 3.3 (21)
Canada 3.9 (27) def South Africa 2.6 (18)

[edit] 2007

Australia (AIS Youth) 23.24 (162) def South Africa 1.6 (12), North West Cricket Stadium in Potchefstroom
South Africa def Australian Convicts (by 7 points)