Name/TitleBall, rugby
About this objectRugby ball; a brown leather rugby ball, stamped: "Improved Springbok, Gilbert Rugby, England". The ball is covered with barely legible signatures. May have belonged to Jack McNab.
Jack McNab (b. 1924), a flanker from the Owaka club, toured South Africa in 1949 with the All Blacks. He played in three tests against the South Africans that year and another three against the British Lions in 1950.
On the long tour of South Africa, when the journey to the republic was made by ship, he was given just one jersey, numbered 20 - each squad member was given a single jersey to wear and clean on the 24-match tour.
McNab was an Owaka stalwart, playing only for that club over his whole career. Jack passed away in May of 2009, aged 85.
MakerGilbert Rugby
Maker RoleMaker
Date Madec1950
Place MadeEurope, United Kingdom, England
Medium and Materialsprocessed material, leather
Inscription and MarksStamped: "IMPROVED / SPRINGBOK / GILBERT / MAKER / RUGBY / ENGLAND / TRADE MARK / MADE IN ENGLAND"
Techniquestitched
Techniquestamped
Techniquewritten
Measurementsh 130mm x l 320mm x w 120mm
Medium
Subject and Association Keywordsrecreation. leisure, sports, ball games
Credit LineFrom the collection of Owaka Museum Wahi Kahuika The Meeting Place "a rest on your journey".
Object Typerecreational equipment
Object number2011.169
Copyright LicenceAll rights reserved
