Actions Taken
Click above to watch a documentary on the Springbok Tour.
|
On September 12th 1980, the New Zealand Rugby Union formally invited the South African rugby team to come tour in New Zealand. However, many New Zealanders throughout the nation were strongly against letting South Africa tour New Zealand, because of there racial policy 'Apartheid.' This in turn provoked disputes among the nation, as rugby was a very popular sport in the country. This lead to the first organised mass protest on May 1st 1981, which took place throughout the whole country. Those who opposed the tour and apartheid were encouraged to protest and voice out their opinions. Robert Muldoon was given the option to cancel or prevent the tour under the Gleaneagles Agreement, however he refused, stating that “sports and polotics should not mix”. This decision polarised the nation, and divided the nation in two, those who wanted the tour, and those who did not.
The Springboks arrived in New Zealand on the 19th of July 1981 at Auckland Airport. On the 22nd of July, the Springboks played their first match against Poverty Bay in Gisborne. The Springboks won 24-6, during this match the anti-tour protesters made their debut as they confronted the pro-tour supporters. This major protest caused a huge amount of anger and violence to erupt between both sides. As protesters voiced out their strong perspectives to stop the tour, more conflict broke out and many New Zealanders had changed from anti-tour to pro-tour or the other way around as well as more people were forced to get involved by taking part in all this conflict. 3 days later on the 25th of July the Springboks played their second game against Waikato in Hamilton. But was later cancelled, because hundreds of anti-tour protesters had invaded the pitch. Great violence broke out for the pro-tour supporters who were looking forward to the match, there was huge concern after a rumour was spread throughout the crowd, that a light aircraft was stolen from Taupo and was planned to head for the Hamilton stadium. Officials of the rugby union were worried so they had decided that the best course of action was to cancel the match for everyone's safety. This enraged supporters but was a very fortunate outcome for the anti-tour protesters, which made them more determined and more resolved for their fight in breaking the racial apartheid in South Africa. On the 29th of July, anti-tour protests outside Parliament in Wellington reached a new found level of violence which became widely known as the 'Battle of Molesworth street.' Protesters were met at the northern end of Molesworth street as police with batons ordered them to retreat, but the crowd ignored them and surged forward intending to push the police back. The police then panicked and rapidly hurled their batons violently towards the protestants, but still protesters fought on ahead while being violently attacked by police and was provoked to use violence in that situation. It was this very important event that not only polarised Wellington, but also influenced protesters to become even stronger and not be affected by this violence. On August the 1st the Springboks played there second rugby match after the Hamilton game was cancelled. They played Manawatu in Palmerston North, the Springboks won 31-19. Following this victory they played Otago in Dunedin on the 11th of August, the Springboks again won with a 17-13 scoreline. This gave the Springboks great confidence leading into the test matches against the All Blacks. On the15th of August, the springboks played their first test match against the All Blacks. The All Blacks won 14-9. As pro-tour supporters cheered with excitement, the anti-tour protesters rapidly occupied the rugby grounds. Protesters violently fighting against the barbed wire fences that lined the field, they had planned to once again stop the match from happening. But unfortunately they police did not back down, and as a result these violent actions from both sides the rugby supporters went wild with rage and started throwing whatever they could at whoever was there. It was said that police saved many protesters from serious injuries and were not the enemy at this match. 2 weeks later after the fierce conflicts that broke out in the last test match, the springboks were due to play their second official test match in Wellington on the 29th of August. Anti-tour protesters had intended to take a firm stand, as heavy protest flooded the streets of Wellington throughout the day. Over 7000 protesters marched into central Wellington, protesters had taken on an aggressive stance by blocking the main motorways, roads, and all pedestrian access to the stadium. Anti-tour protesters had taken it too far by blocking the entrances, so police responded and formed wedges through the crowd to let rugby spectators into the rugby park. Protesters fought as they were being moved and dragged away from the entry ways, pro-tour supporters lashed out at them with their fists or boots. Police once again had to maintain the barrier between the two sides, neither had stopped which resulted in the police having to use their batons as the violence escalated. The Springboks ended up winning the test 24-12. On the 12th of September 1981, was the third and final test match on the Springbok tour of New Zealand. The match was due to take place in Auckland, and crowds at the grounds were at their most violent out of all the matches played. Protesters went to the extreme as they organised a Cessna light aircraft to drop flour bombs and smoke bombs onto the stadium from above. Protesters were determined to stop the match, but union officials were angered by how those actions would put the players in danger of being injured. The cessna dropped flower bombs on the players below even hitting one of the players. The plane struck fear into the rugby fans in the stands and a quote from Kevin Kelleher, who attended the game states “It was terrifying. The plane seemed as though it was below the height of the goalposts”. Police fought against the ruthless protesters as they tried everything to stop the game from continuing. But their efforts we futile as the game proceeded, and the All Blacks won 25-22. Pro-tour supporters were content with this match win by New Zealand, but protesters still would never change how they felt about this racist tour. And after the last match, on the 13th of September the Springboks departed from the Auckland airport and left New Zealand. The Springbok tour came to an end but was never forgotten among New Zealanders, for 56 days there was conflict, and violence which left our nation divided. For some the tour was a glorious period in New Zealand's history, but for others it was a very dark and disagreeable time filled with racism and hatred in our nation. Key Ideas Robert Muldoon going against the Gleneagles agreement and allowing the Springboks to tour had given people no choice but to make their opinions and voices heard. This came mainly in the form of protests through marches and boycotts. In Hamilton, these protestors forced the game against Waikato to be cancelled as they broke down the fences and charged onto the field where they remained untill the game was called off. Marches and battles with police continued to occur right throughout the country and although the protestors were not successful in preventing the tour, they did raise awareness internationally that the apartheid regime is not okay, and needs to be abolished. |