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Roger Bourgarel

Roger Bourgarel
Date of birth (1947-04-21) 21 April 1947 (age 77)
Place of birthToulouse, France
Height5 ft 8 in (173 cm)
Weight166 lb (75 kg)
Rugby union career
Position(s) Wing
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
1969–73 France 9 (3)

Roger Bourgarel (born 21 April 1947) is a French former rugby union international.[1]

Biography

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Born in Toulouse, Bourgarel was a speedy winger of Guadeloupean descent known as “La Flèche Noire”, which translates to "The Black Arrow". He played his club rugby for hometown club Stade Toulousain.[2]

Bourgarel, capped nine times by France, played both Tests against the Springboks on the 1971 tour of apartheid South Africa, after his selection had caused much political controversy.[3] The president of the French federation, Albert Ferrasse, had insisted on Bourgarel's place in the squad, a position supported by his South African counterpart Danie Craven.[4] He became the first black rugby player to be granted permission by the South African government to tour the country.[5]

Since 2020, Bourgarel has served as the mayor of the town of Prunet in Haute-Garonne.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Paroles d'Ex - Roger Bourgarel : « Nous étions toujours prêts à inventer quelque chose »". L'Équipe (in French). 3 June 2022.
  2. ^ "Afrique-du-Sud-Angleterre, dans la mêlée de l'intégration". La Croix (in French). 18 October 2007.
  3. ^ "Quand Tous Les Athlètes Du Monde Pourront Se Donner La Main..." Le Monde (in French). 28 December 1971.
  4. ^ "Black Left Off French Team; Protests May Undo Action". New York Times. 29 April 1971.
  5. ^ "Haute-Garonne : le rugbyman Roger Bourgarel, héros face à l'adversité sud-africaine, en plein apartheid". La Dépêche (in French). 13 January 2023.
  6. ^ "Coupe du monde de rugby : "C'est là-bas que j'ai réalisé que j'étais noir..." Roger Bourgarel a été le premier joueur de couleur à jouer en Afrique du Sud". La Dépêche (in French). 9 October 2023.
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