Springbok tour protest at Hamilton, 25 July 1981
A DigitalNZ Story by Zokoroa
On 25 July 1981, anti-tour protesters led to the Springbok - Waikato rugby game being halted in Hamilton
Rugby, Sport, Springbok, Springboks, Hamilton, Anti-tour, Protests. Apartheid, Anti-apartheid, Racism, Anti-racism, HART, Politics
In 1981 the Springbok rugby team toured New Zealand which led to public protests. Those against the tour objected to South Africa's apartheid policies, whilst those supportive of the tour thought politics and sport shouldn't mix. The game against Waikato at Hamilton's Rugby Park on 25 July was called off when several hundred anti-tour demonstrators invaded the field. During the clashes between pro-tour and anti-tour supporters, over fifty arrests were made. The tour also led to debate about racism and the place of Māori in New Zealand.
Two members of St John's College run onto Rugby Park, Hamilton, while two supporters of Springbok Rugby Tour try to stop them, 1981
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
"Confrontation on Centre Field" - 1981 Springbok Tour
Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato
National protests
Protest badges - 1981 Springbok tour
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Stop the tour
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
Springbok Tour protest programme
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Poster was published by HART (Halt All Racist Tours) and handed out to anti-apartheid activists
Poster, 'The 50 Guilty People'
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
'No Tour' T-shirt
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
July petition to PM Robert Muldoon calling for the Springbok rugby team to be refused entry into NZ
Petition Cards to Robert Muldoon
Archives New Zealand Te Rua Mahara o te Kāwanatanga
'Don't mention the tour'
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Waikato Stadium, Hamilton: 25 July 1981
Hamilton's rugby wars - Roadside Stories
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Ticket
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Demonstrators Handbook
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
Protestors lined up across road. Anti Springbok Tour protest march, Hamilton
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
Photograph - 1981 Springbok Tour
Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato
Members of St John's College before march to Rugby Park against Springbok Rugby Tour, Hamilton, 25 July 1981
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
![Image: [Christian protesters sing in an outdoor shopping centre]](https://thumbnailer.digitalnz.org/?resize=770x&src=https%3A%2F%2Fcollection-api.aucklandmuseum.com%2Frecords%2Fimages%2Fmedium%2F508511%2Fd1e659c16d68569d601eb3bd843b646930316f42.jpg&resize=368%253E "[Christian protesters sing in an outdoor shopping centre]")
[Christian protesters sing in an outdoor shopping centre]
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
Photograph - 1981 Springbok Tour
Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato
Photograph - 1981 Springbok Tour
Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato
Photograph – Springbok tour protest
Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato
Protesters hold anti-apartheid and anti-racism signs
Fence, Hamilton
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
Group of protestors middle of rugby field with spectators behind. Anti Springbok Tour protest march, Hamilton
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
Group of protestors including Geoff Chapple in middle of rugby field. Anti Springbok Tour protest march, Hamilton
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
![Image: [Protesters occupy a rugby pitch]](https://thumbnailer.digitalnz.org/?resize=770x&src=https%3A%2F%2Fcollection-api.aucklandmuseum.com%2Frecords%2Fimages%2Fmedium%2F508479%2F77123cb8f5dffaa77c33f5f56491c8a05322c1e9.jpg&resize=368%253E "[Protesters occupy a rugby pitch]")
[Protesters occupy a rugby pitch]
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
"Rev. George Armstrong (St. Johns College, Auckland) pleading with Riot Squad" - 1981 Springbok Tour
Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato
Line of police confronting protestors. Anti Springbok Tour protest march, Hamilton
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
"Riot Squad on rugby field" - 1981 Springbok Tour
Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato
![Image: [A police line and protesters face off on the rugby pitch at Rugby Park, Hamilton]](https://thumbnailer.digitalnz.org/?resize=770x&src=https%3A%2F%2Fcollection-api.aucklandmuseum.com%2Frecords%2Fimages%2Fmedium%2F508477%2Fcdaa7d9b9698106bf1c33f59b5b0906ca4273fd4.jpg&resize=368%253E "[A police line and protesters face off on the rugby pitch at Rugby Park, Hamilton]")
[A police line and protesters face off on the rugby pitch at Rugby Park, Hamilton]
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
Police and tour protesters on Rugby Park, Hamilton - Photograph taken by Phil Reid
Alexander Turnbull Library
Baton used by two special police squads formed as security escorts for Springboks
PR 24 baton
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Protestors and police officers at Rugby Park, Hamilton - Photograph taken by Phil Reid
Alexander Turnbull Library
Hamilton, 25 July
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Police confronting protestors on rugby field. Anti Springbok Tour protest march, Hamilton
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
Police separating demonstrators & rugby Fans Hamilton.
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
Police struggle with demonstrators, Hamilton - Photograph taken by Ian Mackley
Alexander Turnbull Library
Rugby supporters hand a demonstrator off the Field, Hamilton.
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
A demonstrator lies bloody unconscious in Victoria St, Hamilton.
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
![Image: [Proof sheet - Springbok tour protest Hamilton]](https://thumbnailer.digitalnz.org/?resize=770x&src=https%3A%2F%2Fcollection-api.aucklandmuseum.com%2Frecords%2Fimages%2Fmedium%2F505611%2F3f91fc96b93fb3693dda8c2cf9109d4124d74f18.jpg&resize=368%253E "[Proof sheet - Springbok tour protest Hamilton]")
[Proof sheet - Springbok tour protest Hamilton]
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
![Image: [Proof sheet - Springbok tour protest Hamilton]](https://thumbnailer.digitalnz.org/?resize=770x&src=https%3A%2F%2Fcollection-api.aucklandmuseum.com%2Frecords%2Fimages%2Fmedium%2F505607%2Ff1b08478eaa06dcad2cdd73e7950198d25a62a48.jpg&resize=368%253E "[Proof sheet - Springbok tour protest Hamilton]")
[Proof sheet - Springbok tour protest Hamilton]
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
![Image: [Proof sheet - Springbok tour protest Hamilton]](https://thumbnailer.digitalnz.org/?resize=770x&src=https%3A%2F%2Fcollection-api.aucklandmuseum.com%2Frecords%2Fimages%2Fmedium%2F505633%2F000576f07dfe5f3fb1b2bdf050b24c78bd8236a1.jpg&resize=368%253E "[Proof sheet - Springbok tour protest Hamilton]")
[Proof sheet - Springbok tour protest Hamilton]
Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira
This calendar was produced in 1982 to raise legal funds for protesters who had been arrested during Springbok tour
Days of Rage calendar
Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Reaction in South Africa
The Waikato game was the first being televised live back to South Africa, so viewers there saw the NZ opposition to the tour and apartheid.
Personal accounts
After the tour, English Department of University of Canterbury placed adverts to gather people's comments & experiences
Springbok Tour Archive [Pro]: Hamilton group on democracy versus communism.
University of Canterbury Library
John Minto, national organiser of Halt All Racist Tours (HART), looks back on the 1981 Springbok tour
John Minto - 1981 Springbok tour
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Blazey discussing the 1981 Springbok tour
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Stories told about violence : Hamilton during the 1981 Springbok Tour / by Nikita Prinsloo
National Library of New Zealand
Springbok Tour Archive [Anti]: Hamilton woman's note on experience and feelings during the tour.
University of Canterbury Library
Springbok Tour Archive [Anti]: Coromandells housewife's account of trip to Hamilton and repercussions.
University of Canterbury Library
Springbok Tour Archive [Pro]: Hamilton person, 60. NZ freedoms, protest activity, anti-authority elements.
University of Canterbury Library
Springbok Tour Archive [Anti]: Christchurch middle-aged man discussing Maoris and racism.
University of Canterbury Library
Video / Audio / Movie
Patu!
NZ On Screen
1981 - A Country at War
NZ On Screen
Waikato game stopped, 1981
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
The game that never was
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Film: game cancelled in Hamilton, 1981 Springbok tour
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Hamilton's rugby wars - roadside stories
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Anti-Springbok-tour veterans on the power of HART
Radio New Zealand
RNZ interview (2 Dec 2023): Movie "Uproar" about Springboks' 1981 tour
Julian Dennison is back in Uproar, taking on the Springboks' 1981 tour of New Zealand
Radio New Zealand
Books / Articles
Roadside Stories: Hamilton's rugby wars
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Anti-Springbok protesters block Hamilton match
Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage
(This DigitalNZ Story was compiled in 2020 and updated in July 2024)