Jacko's Sporting Almanac

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Jacko's Sporting Almanac: The Battle of Swansea

The Battle of Swansea

BBC Radio Wales - Jacko's Sporting Almanac, The Battle of Swansea

How Welsh protest against the Springboks and apartheid became a battle to change sport.

Peter Jackson reflects on a protest against the Springbok rugby team and apartheid 50 years ago that turned into a battle but helped change sport – and possibly a nation.

In 1969 a peaceful protest against the visit of the Springbok rugby South African rugby team to Britain turned ugly – with accusations a Welsh team hired vigilantes to beat demonstrators. The events surrounding the dissent against the visit of the Springboks to Swansea achieved notoriety. Now, 50 years on, Peter Jackson talks to players from both sides, as well as to demonstrators. The Springbok’s vice-captain reveals how he escaped virtual house-arrest in the team’s Welsh hotel to attend a protest meeting to try to put their side of the story. And he reveals how the protests led him on a personal journey which helped integrate sport in South Africa years later.

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