1971 South Africa rugby union tour of Australia
The 1971 South Africa rugby union tour of Australia was a controversial six-week rugby union tour by the South African national team to Australia. Anti-apartheid protests came to being all around the country. The tour is perhaps most infamous for a state of emergency being declared in Queensland. In total, around 700 people were arrested whilst the Springboks were on tour.
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Overview [edit]
The first games were then played in Adelaide and Perth, which were disrupted mainly by youth-led protesters. The third match was set to take place in Melbourne. A 5,000 strong crowd, made up mostly of university students, gathered in the streets of Melbourne to march on Olympic Park in protest.[1] Police had set up a wall of units around the stadium, around 650 policemen many armed with batons and some on horseback.[1] In Sydney, several people, including the Secretary of the New South Wales Builders Labourers Federation, attempted to saw down the goal posts at the Sydney Cricket Ground prior to the match.[2] In addition, a gigantic anti-apartheid effigy was hung from the Sydney Harbour Bridge but subsequently cut down.[2]
Queensland premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen declared a month-long state of emergency.[3] The game was instead played at the Exhibition Ground, being moved from its original venue at Ballymore Stadium, as it was deemed easier to erect barricades at the Exhibition Ground.[4] A two-metre chain wire fence was erected to separate players and spectators.[5]
According to Meredith Burgmann, one of the leading firebrands, the rugby tour was a crucial target, but to stop the summer's cricketing visit was the ultimate goal.[6] They were successful in this regard as the cricket tour was called off due to security reasons.
The Touring Group [edit]
- Manager Flappie Lochner
- Coach Johan Claassen
Fullbacks
- Ian McCallum
- Tonie Roux
Wings
- Syd Nomis
- Gert Muller
- Hannes Viljoen
- Andy van der Watt as replacement
Centres
- Peter Cronje
- Joggie Jansen
- Peter Swanson
Flyhalves
- Piet Visagie
- Dawie Snyman
Scrumhalves
- Joggie Viljoen
- Dirk de Vos
Hookers
- Piston van Wyk
- Robbie Barnard
Props
- Hannes Marais (capt)
- Sakkie Sauermann
- Martiens Louw
Locks
- Frik du Preez
- John Williams
- Johan Spies
Loose Forwards
- Tommy Bedford
- Morne du Plessis
- Jan Ellis
- Piet Greyling
- Thys Lourens
- Albie Bates as replacement
Test Match Results [edit]
South Africa won the Test Series 3-0
- 17 July 1971 - Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney,South Africa 19-11 Australia
South Africa: McCallum, Nomis, Cronje, Jansen, Viljoen, Visagie, J Viljoen, Du Plessis, Ellis, Greyling, Williams, Du Preez, Marais (c), Van Wyk and Sauermann
Tries by Hannes Viljoen, Joggie Viljoen and Jan Ellis. Ian McCallum 2 conversions and penalty and Piet Visagie drop goal.
Australia Captain Greg Davis
- 31 July 1971 - Brisbane Exhibition Ground, Brisbane, South Africa 14-6 Australia
- 7 August 1971 - Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney. South Africa 18-6 Australia
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- Burghmann, Meredith. Sydney Morning Herald. "The day apartheid was hit for six." 23 August 2008.
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Notes [edit]
External links [edit]
- Breaking the rules: the campaign in Australia against apartheid
- History Of The Game includes match image.
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