Crossword Genius

Fighters who got cross when the Boers were around? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

boxers

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'fighters who got cross when the boers were around?' is the definition.
'boxers' can be an answer for 'fighters' (boxer is a kind of fighter). I'm not sure about the remainder of the definition.

'fighters who got cross when' is the wordplay.
'fighters who' becomes 'bors' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'got' is an insertion indicator.
'cross' becomes 'x' (X is cross-shaped).
'when' becomes 'e' (I've seen this in other clues).
'x'+'e'='xe'
'bors' enclosing 'xe' is 'BOXERS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for boxers that I've seen before include "Pugilists or men's underwear" , "Pugs; dogs" , "in the ring with shorts" , "Dogs or men's loose underpants" , "Dogs; packers" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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