Black-Bans and Black Eyes: Implications of the 1971 Springbok Rugby Tour. (1st May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Scott, Nick
• Is Part Of: Labour history. Volume 108(2015)
• Page Start: 145
• Page End: 163
• Publication Date: 2015-05-01
• Subjects: Labor -- Australia -- History -- Periodicals; Labor unions -- Australia -- History -- Periodicals; 331.0994
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0023-6942

Abstract

Abstract : The 1971 Springbok rugby tour has become infamous for disruptive anti-apartheid protests, which culminated in the declaration of a State of Emergency in Queensland. Opposed to the racist selection policies of the South African national team, the trade union movement and the New Left attempted to directly stop the tour. Conservative governments took extreme measures to undermine a union black-ban, while rugby games were marred by clashes between police and demonstrators. This article offers the first sustained examination of this protest campaign. It traces efforts to stop the tour, connecting the role of the union movement to that of the New Left, and examines the reactions of governments and police forces.