**Wales Rugby Players Recall Terrifying Encounter with Armed Local During 2008 South Africa Tour**
A shocking story has emerged from the annals of Welsh rugby, with former international star Tom Shanklin revealing details of a life-threatening incident involving his teammates during a tour of South Africa in 2008. Speaking candidly on the Stick to Rugby podcast, Shanklin described how a night out ended in a tense stand-off with a man wielding a gun, casting a dark shadow over an already challenging overseas campaign.
The Welsh side, under the guidance of head coach Warren Gatland at the time, were touring South Africa for a two-Test series against the formidable Springboks. The matches themselves proved formidable, with the Welsh squad suffering a heavy 43-17 loss in Bloemfontein, followed by a 37-21 defeat in Pretoria. However, the challenges experienced on the pitch were apparently eclipsed by dramatic scenes that unfolded away from the rugby field.
Reflecting on the events during a conversation with Gatland, Shanklin set the scene. In an effort to keep the players out of potential trouble in town, the management had arranged for the squad to travel in a repurposed “Castle Bus”—a vehicle named after a popular South African lager—which reportedly had no windows but did offer an onboard bar. The intention was to keep the team together and reduce the chance of mishaps, but the strategy proved ineffective as the squad found their way out into the city regardless.
During that fateful night, a confrontation reportedly broke out in a nightclub’s toilet, involving one of the Welsh players and a local resident. Shanklin recounted that, shortly after the altercation, the local man returned brandishing a firearm. “The guy who was a local there, he came back about five minutes later and he had a gun on him!” said Shanklin. He described how the situation escalated rapidly, with the presence of the gun causing immediate alarm among the team.
Coach Warren Gatland, also featured on the podcast, clarified that he was not present during the incident. Nonetheless, Shanklin detailed how the squad reacted in the moment. With armed security assigned to accompany the team, instructions were quickly given to “face them, walk back slowly,” aiming to defuse the situation and prevent panic. “All these security guards with us were just saying, ‘face them, walk back slowly’,” Shanklin recalled. Each member tried to comply, except for team physio Mark Davies, who, overtaken by fear, sprinted away from the group to seek safety in their vehicle.
The incident left a lasting impression on those involved, serving as a stark reminder of the unpredictability and potential dangers athletes can face while touring internationally. “It was a tough tour,” Shanklin admitted, indicating that the off-pitch events were just as challenging as the test matches themselves.
Although no one was physically harmed during the ordeal, it shed light on the importance of security measures for teams embarking on foreign tours, particularly in regions with higher risks of violence. The recall of such incidents also sparks wider discussion about the off-field pressures and cultural misunderstandings visiting sports teams might encounter.
The story, recounted years later, stands out for the clear sense of camaraderie, tension, and quickthinking displayed by the players and their security staff. It serves as a sobering anecdote for fans, offering a glimpse into the kind of off-the-field challenges that rarely make headlines but can leave a lasting impact on athletes and management alike.
As international tours continue to be an integral part of rugby union, the experiences shared by players such as Shanklin offer valuable lessons in preparation, security, and the unpredictable nature of life on the road. For many fans, these revelations add a new dimension to their understanding of what it means to compete on the world stage, reminding all that the drama of sport is not always confined to the playing field.