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Policemen line the pitch during the South African Barbarians game against Devon in 1979
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Policemen line the pitch during the South African Barbarians game against Devon in 1979
Rugby Union - 1979 South African Barbarians Tour of Britain - Devon 18 South African Barbarians 27
Policemen line the touch-line while the game goes ahead at Exeter.
This was the first game of the first multiracial South African rugby team to tour outside South Africa. The tour squad had eight white players, eight coloured players and eight black players and was managed by former Scotland international Chick Henderson.
The tour was at the centre of controversy, with the Sports Council and government calling for the invitation extended by the Home Unions to be withdrawn in light of the 1977 Gleneagles Agreement which discouraged Commonwealth countries from any sporting links with South Africa.
Despite the multi-racial nature of the team, critics accused the tour of merely window-dressing. Anti-aparthied demonstrators took to the streets of Exeter before the game and seven demonstrators were arrested for invading the pitch. Protests continued throughout the remainder of the tour
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This historic print captures a momentous occasion in rugby history. Policemen can be seen lining the pitch during the South African Barbarians game against Devon in 1979, held at Exeter. This match marked the first game of the groundbreaking multiracial South African rugby team to tour outside their home country. Managed by former Scotland international Chick Henderson, this diverse tour squad consisted of eight white players, eight coloured players, and eight black players. However, controversy surrounded the tour as it clashed with the 1977 Gleneagles Agreement discouraging sporting links with apartheid-era South Africa. Despite its multi-racial composition, critics dismissed the tour as mere window-dressing. Anti-apartheid demonstrators flooded Exeter's streets before the game and seven protesters were arrested for invading the pitch. These protests persisted throughout the remainder of the tour. The image serves as a powerful reminder of both progress and resistance within sports during a tumultuous era. It encapsulates not only an important milestone for racial integration in rugby but also highlights how political tensions spilled onto sporting fields. This photograph is part of Colorsport Images' collection captured by Colin Elsey—a testament to their dedication to preserving significant moments that transcend sport itself.
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