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.
Overview
The first games were then played in Adelaide and Perth, which were disrupted by mainly 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 truncheons and some on horseback.[2] In Sydney, several people attempted to saw down the goal posts at the Sydney Cricket Ground prior to the match.[3] In addition, a gigantic anti-apartheid effigy was hung from the Sydney Harbour Bridge but subsequently cut down.[4]
Queensland premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen declared a month-long state of emergency.[5] 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.[6] A two-metre chain wire fence was erected to separate players and spectators.[7]
Test Match Results
South Africa won the Test Series 3-0
- 17 July 1971 - Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney,South Africa 19-11 Australia
- 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
Sources
External links
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South African Rugby Tours |
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