david ngawati

Though South Africa: The upcoming Test series between New Zealand and South Africa, set to begin on February 4 in Mount Maunganui, will now be played for the Tangiwai Shield. From now onwards, the Tests between New Zealand and South Africa will play for the shield that commemorates the tragic events of 70 years ago.

In 1953, 151 people on board the overnight express from Wellington to Auckland on Christmas Eve – including Nerissa Love, the fiancée of New Zealand fast bowler Bob Blair, lost their lives in the country’s worst rail disaster.

The tragedy coincided with the second Test between New Zealand and South Africa at Ellis Park, Johannesburg, where Blair was opening the bowling for his country. On day two of the Test match, Blair, then 21, woke up to know that he lost the love of his life and was left to grieve at the team hotel, with the flags of both countries lowered to half-mast at the stadium.