Blake wrote: ↑Fri Aug 30, 2024 7:47 pm
So it is utterly inconceivable that the tensions caused by the Springbok Tour in 1981 created the environment to expose some hypocrisy within some sections of New Zealand and led to the creation of some needed reforms?
Pity, because it would’ve been a neat story.
Think you will find the tour of 1981 turned a lot of Kiwis off having sporting relationships with South Africa, due to the, you know, racism in the Republic.
But to set the record right on a couple of incidents that took place on the tour.
Waikato vs South Africa, match abandoned due to protests, pitch invasions, and you know Hamilton. I have it on very good authority, i.e. some bloke I talked to in the pub, that Waikato had never lost to the Bokke and were deeply concerned about this game, hence they organised the hordes of Waikato supporters to do everything in their power to stop the match. Calling that another win for Waikato.
Dunedin test blackout in Otago. This is what happens when you take your kids to work and give them the chance to fix a broadcast tower, who could have seen this going wrong. I blame the whole work experience thing.
The flour bombing of the Auckland test. Seriously when you get mom telling a trainee pilot to pick up some eggs and flour when he is off for a training flight things are going to go wrong. Two thumbs up to the pilot though who found a novel way of avoiding paying the entry fee to the match.
So there you have it South Africa, a bunch of Waikato supporters, a Dunedin work experience dude, and someone's mom changed the political landscape of South Africa, feel free to express your thanks by either free beer or payment (we except gold). The only question I'm left with is did the pilot's mom end up making the cake