Gary Knight was nearly knocked unconscious by a flour-bomb

The 1981 South Africa rugby union tour of New Zealand, still known by many in New Zealand simply as “The Springbok Tour” was controversial due to the (then) South African government’s policy of racial segregation. This policy polarised opinions and sparked controversy throughout New Zealand. The decision to proceed with the tour inspired widespread protests across New Zealand.

South Africa’s policy (at the time) of racial apartheid had discouraged most countries from having sporting contacts with it. However, the Springboks were considered to be New Zealand’s most formidable opponents. Therefore, there was a major split in opinion in New Zealand as to whether politics should interfere with sport and whether the Springboks should be allowed to tour.

Despite the controversy, the New Zealand Rugby Union decided to proceed with the tour. Despite violent protests and the disruptin of two earlier games, the series was in the balance at one test victory each. This led to “the Flour-Bomb Protest” during the final test match at Eden Park, Auckland on 12 September 1981. A low-flying light plane piloted by Marx Jones and his “Bombardier at the back”, Grant Cole disrupted the final game of the tour by dropping flour-bombs on the pitch. In spite of the flour bombing, the game was continued.

Grant Cole reflects back on the actions of that day:

The bombardments intensified as All Black’s prop, Gary Knight was struck on the head by one such missile, almost knocking him unconscious. At this point, Springbok captain, Wynand Claassen asked, “Do you not have an air-force in this country?” Claassen’s Springboks were 16-3 down a half time, but did not let the onslaught distract them from the task ahead, fighting their way back to 22-22. Alan Hewson then landed a last minute penalty to clinch the series for New Zealand.

Highlights from the infamous 1981 “Flour-Bomb Test”

(from Rugbydump.com’s youtube page)

After the tour, no official sporting contact took place between New Zealand and South Africa until 1992, when apartheid had been repealed. The tour has been credited with leading to a decline in the popularity of Rugby Union in New Zealand, until the 1987 Rugby World Cup.

What are your thoughts on the tour?