Roger Bourgarel

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

Roger Bourgarel
Date of birth (1947-04-21) 21 April 1947
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)

Biography

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

References
  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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