The games
In what year did the controversial Springbok Tour take place?
1981
How many weeks did the 1981 Springbok Tour last?
Around 8 weeks (July–September 1981)
What was apartheid?
A system of racial segregation in South Africa.
Which Commonwealth countries criticised NZ for hosting the tour?
Many — including Nigeria, India, and Canada.
What were the main groups protesting the Springbok Tour?
Anti-apartheid activists and community groups. HART and CARE
Who invited the Springboks to tour New Zealand in 1981?
The New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU).
How did the tour divide New Zealand society?
It split families, friends, and communities.
What was the Gleneagles Agreement?
A 1977 Commonwealth agreement to discourage sporting contact with South Africa.
How did the tour affect NZ’s reputation internationally?
It damaged NZ’s image as a fair and just nation.
What tactics did protesters use to disrupt the games?
Marches, pitch invasions, banners, and sit-ins.
Why were police called to many matches during the tour?
Protesters tried to stop or disrupt the games.
Did the tour make NZ a stronger democracy? Why or why not?
Answers vary — freedom of protest vs violence/police force.
Why did many New Zealanders oppose sporting contact with South Africa?
Because apartheid discriminated against Black people.
Did the tour strengthen or weaken NZ’s reputation for fairness?
Answers vary — weakened reputation vs free speech defence.
How did the police respond to protests?
They used batons, arrests, and crowd control measures.
Was cancelling the final test a realistic option for the NZRU? Why or why not?
Pressure from fans vs moral responsibility. Answers can vary
What were some short-term impacts of the tour on daily life in NZ?
Protests, arrests, violence, police barricades.
How did hosting the Springboks break the Gleneagles Agreement?
It ignored NZ’s Commonwealth promise to isolate South Africa.
How did the tour affect NZ’s relationship with other Commonwealth nations?
It caused tension and temporary isolation.
What was the most violent protest incident during the 1981 tour?
The Molesworth Street clash in Wellington (29 July 1981), where police baton-charged protesters, injuring many.
If you were organising the tour, what rules would you create to balance sport and protest?
e.g., protest zones, dialogue, safety measures.
Create a short news headline that captures the tour’s tension.
Example: “Nation Divided: Rugby Tour Sparks Chaos and Courage.”
Create a protest slogan New Zealanders might have used.
Example: “No Normal Sport in an Abnormal Society.”
If you made a museum exhibit about NZ’s image after 1981, what message would it show?
Example: “A small nation learns big lessons about justice, identity, and protest.”
If you were a protest organiser, how would you plan a peaceful but effective protest?
Student-generated responses — e.g., marches, petitions, media campaigns, speeches.