Images Dated 14th February 2011

Anti-apartheid protestors during the 1979 South African Barbarians Tour

Rugby Union - 1979 South African Barbarians Tour of Britain - Devon 18 South African Barbarians 27
Anti-apartheid protestors are prevented from invading the pitch during the game 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of controversy, with the Sports Council and government calling for the invitation extended by the Home Unions to be withdrawn in light of the 1977 Gleneagles Agreement which discouraged Commonwealth countries from any sporting links with South Africa.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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