People involved...
The conflict between the Springboks and the All Blacks is one of the longest and most lasting between two sporting nations. In the past, generations of rugby players and supporters from both countries viewed a series victory over the other nation as being the highest achievement in the sport. In 1956 and 1965 when the South African rugby team toured New Zealand, they were given warmth and generosity, although 25 years later, the 1981 Springbok tour became one of the most disruptive events in New Zealand history. Its impact went far beyond the rugby ground as communities and families divided and tensions spilled out onto the streets and into the living rooms of the nation.
"Although things had been far from perfect between my parents, the Springbok tour caused such tension and stress that we could not live together in the same house and function as a family unit. An example of the increase was when we, as a family, watched the evening news. Often one side would raise their voices in abuse and offensive name calling towards public figures. Later the abuse was turned in an indirect way on individual family members. This was done by blaming the chaos and disruption to rugby games in individual family members, their friends and associations. As the tour went on and the turmoil increased, the negative feelings intensified to such as degree that feelings of dislike, anger and incomprehension dominated our home." - It's Just a Game (anon), in, The New Zealand Experience : 100 Vignettes, collected by B. Shaw & K. Broadley, 1985.
"Although things had been far from perfect between my parents, the Springbok tour caused such tension and stress that we could not live together in the same house and function as a family unit. An example of the increase was when we, as a family, watched the evening news. Often one side would raise their voices in abuse and offensive name calling towards public figures. Later the abuse was turned in an indirect way on individual family members. This was done by blaming the chaos and disruption to rugby games in individual family members, their friends and associations. As the tour went on and the turmoil increased, the negative feelings intensified to such as degree that feelings of dislike, anger and incomprehension dominated our home." - It's Just a Game (anon), in, The New Zealand Experience : 100 Vignettes, collected by B. Shaw & K. Broadley, 1985.
DEMONSTRATION: Protesters march in Invercargill in 1981 against the Springboks tour.
Most people remember it as an honour to play the Springboks during their 1981 tour of New Zealand. Others remember the tour as rugby's lowest point. For some, apartheid was a vague reality that "had nothing to do with rugby".
During the 1981 Springbok Tour people watched as South Africa's racial policies divide friends and family. Gwyneth Hyndman spoke to people who witnessed the impact 30 years ago, when the Springboks played Southland at Invercargill's Rugby Park on August 8.
John Minto was involved in forming Halt All Racist Tours, a group set up in 1969 to protest against rugby tours to and from apartheid South Africa. He became the national chairman of the organisation in 1980, and was involved in protests around New Zealand. He was arrested at an anti-tour protest in Invercargill in 1981.
During the 1981 Springbok Tour people watched as South Africa's racial policies divide friends and family. Gwyneth Hyndman spoke to people who witnessed the impact 30 years ago, when the Springboks played Southland at Invercargill's Rugby Park on August 8.
John Minto was involved in forming Halt All Racist Tours, a group set up in 1969 to protest against rugby tours to and from apartheid South Africa. He became the national chairman of the organisation in 1980, and was involved in protests around New Zealand. He was arrested at an anti-tour protest in Invercargill in 1981.
Groups Involved...
HART (Halt All Racist Tours) which were on of the main groups formed was organized in New Zealand in 1969; reason why this organization was formed was so that they could protest rugby tours to and from South Africa. Their first protest, in 1970, was intended to prevent the All Blacks, from playing in South Africa, unless the Apartheid regime would accept a mixed-race team. South Africa surrendered, and a combined All Black team toured the country, this is because previously to 1970 Māori players, they were excluded from All Black sides touring South Africa due to the apartheid regime. South Africa then decided that they would accept the Māori’s as “honorary whites” which however was considered an insult because people felt that Māori’s should be accepted for who they are and be treated as equals.
The Springboks had arranged a tour of New Zealand two years later, HART began to hold demanding planning meetings, and, after laying out their nonviolent protest strategies to the New Zealand security director who was going to be in charge for the tour, he was forced to recommend to the government that the Springboks not be allowed in the country. The Prime minster at the time was Prime Minister Kirk, even though he had previously promised not to interfere with the tour during his election campaign, decided that it would be for the best if he was to cancel the Springbok’s visit, citing what he predicted would be the “greatest eruption of violence this country has ever known.”
The Springboks had arranged a tour of New Zealand two years later, HART began to hold demanding planning meetings, and, after laying out their nonviolent protest strategies to the New Zealand security director who was going to be in charge for the tour, he was forced to recommend to the government that the Springboks not be allowed in the country. The Prime minster at the time was Prime Minister Kirk, even though he had previously promised not to interfere with the tour during his election campaign, decided that it would be for the best if he was to cancel the Springbok’s visit, citing what he predicted would be the “greatest eruption of violence this country has ever known.”