RUGBY LEGEND Enslin Dlambulo has been recognised as a South African 'Springbok' international - 42 years after he left his native country.

Enslin became a star of Keighley RLFC in the 1960's and settled in the town where he was one of the best known faces in sport. He became one of the best squash players in the district and took up martial arts, later becoming a karate instructor.

His sporting success story began when he played for Langa High School in Cape Town. He went on to earn colours with Western Province with the WP Bantu Rugby Board. He later played for South Africa's Africans XV at rugby union, but he could not get recognition as a Springbok because he was black.

At that time the racial segregation of the Apartheid era was strictly upheld.

"We could not play sport in mixed teams at that time," Enslin said.

But the years since the end of Apartheid have seen huge changes in the country, particularly in sport.

Now the South African Rugby Football Union is making up for the years of segregation and acknowledging the contribution of non-white players who were almost ignored in official records of the game.

They have launched a "Yesterday's Heroes" programme to recognise all players who represented South Africa in the racially divided national teams.

Enslin played three Tests as part of the SA Africans team against the SA Coloureds, a team which included Goolam Abed, who also played rugby league during the 1960's.

"I had played many teams against Goolam in South Africa and there was mutual respect between us. When he arrived in England he was asked to recommend another player from South Africa, and he gave them my name. That is how my professional League career started," he said.

He played for Bradford Northern in 1962, but in '64 the Bradford club folded and he moved to Keighley, playing at Lawkeholme Lane until 1968.

The presentation was made by South African Rugby Union's Chief Executive, Mveleli Ncula, who said: "It is a great pleasure to bestow such a well deserved honour on Mr Dlambulo - one of our greatest sporting legends during the dark days of Apartheid.

"He is recognised as one of the most disciplined and fitted players of his era. As a player he was hungry for success with his strength, agility and athleticism setting him apart from fellow loose-forwards."

Enslin, who worked for Magnet for many years after retiring from rugby, had returned to South Africa for the funeral of his brother. When the country's Rugby Union HQ heard he was in the country they had a special 'Springbok' blazer made, and rushed through arrangements for the presentation ceremony.

Enslin is one of the featured players in the book, "112 Years of Springbok Rugby", the official history of rugby in South Africa.

Some of the biggest names in the country's game attended the ceremony at the headquarters of the South African rugby union.

"It was a tremendous surprise to be invited to be presented with the Springbok colours," he said