Rugby Behind Barbed Wire: The 1969/70 Springboks Tour of Britain and Ireland

The 1969/70 Springbok rugby tour of the British Isles was a landmark event on both a sporting and political level. It was characterised by violent demonstrations against the 'ambassadors of apartheid' and players had to play hide-and-seek to avoid possible violence. Rugby Behind Barbed Wire takes readers into the inner circle of a besieged group of sportsmen who just wanted to play rugby despite concerted efforts to deny them.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 288 pages
\n Publication date: 15 November 2020
\n Publisher: Amberley Publishing
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The 1969/70 Springbok rugby tour of the British Isles, a historic event on both a sporting and political level, is commemorated in 2019 and 2020. The tour, which took place during the apartheid era in South Africa, was marked by violent protests against the "ambassadors of apartheid." The players were frequently confronted by chanting protesters at their hotels and airports, and police frequently dragged protesters off the field of play. Smoke bombs and flour bombs also became a regular occurrence on match days. The players on tour, who were severely restricted in their movements and had to play hide-and-seek to avoid potential violence between rugby matches, found these to be turbulent and unsettling times. Despite the challenging circumstances, they worked hard to uphold a proud tradition of successful Springbok tours through the Isles.

Rugby Behind Barbed Wire, written by the author, provides a unique insight into the inner circle of a besieged group of sportsmen who simply wanted to play rugby despite concerted efforts to deny them. The book includes personal interviews with the players, including team captain Dawie de Villiers, vice-captain Tommy Bedford, and other senior members of the squad, as well as key figures such as anti-apartheid campaigner Peter Hain. The author also examines the political context of the events, exploring why so many felt that disrupting the tour was a matter of moral and political necessity.

The 1969/70 Springbok rugby tour of the British Isles was a significant event in the history of South Africa and rugby. It marked a turning point in the country's sporting and political landscape, and its legacy continues to be debated and discussed to this day. The tour was a testament to the resilience and determination of the South African rugby team, as well as the courage and determination of the protesters who opposed apartheid. It also highlighted the power of sports to bring people together and promote social change.

However, the tour was also controversial, and it was met with fierce opposition from many people in the British Isles and around the world. The protesters who opposed the tour believed that it was a symbol of South Africa's apartheid regime and that it was promoting racial segregation and inequality. They argued that the tour was an insult to the British people and that it was undermining the efforts of the anti-apartheid movement.

Despite the controversy, the tour went ahead, and the South African rugby team played a series of highly competitive matches against some of the best teams in the British Isles. The team's performances were impressive, and they won many admirers for their skill and athleticism. However, the tour also had a lasting impact on the players and the country. Many of the players who took part in the tour went on to become leaders in the anti-apartheid movement, and their experiences on the tour helped to shape their political beliefs and activism.

In conclusion, the 1969/70 Springbok rugby tour of the British Isles was a historic event that marked a turning point in the country's sporting and political landscape. It was a testament to the resilience and determination of the South African rugby team, as well as the courage and determination of the protesters who opposed apartheid. The tour was controversial, but it went ahead, and it had a lasting impact on the players and the country. Its legacy continues to be debated and discussed to this day, and it serves as a reminder of the power of sports to bring people together and promote social change.

\n Weight: 550g\n
Dimension: 165 x 240 x 30 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9781445694108\n \n