Anti-Springbok tour protests
In 1981, anti-Springbok tour protesters argued that sport was not separate from politics, especially when New Zealand was up against a South African team selected on racial grounds. They felt that playing rugby against South Africa overlooked apartheid. Some also saw the tour as an opportunity to talk about racism in New Zealand.
Pro-tour supporters claimed that politics had nothing to do with sport and that the two areas should remain separate.
Pro-tour supporters claimed that politics had nothing to do with sport and that the two areas should remain separate.