Tours by and to South Africa were a very sensitive subject in the 1970,80's and 90's due to apartheid. Many players around the world pushed for these tours so that the barriers of apartheid were brought down.
I'm delight to say there has been success here
In basic terms it was due to Apartheid "a social policy or racial segregation involving political and economic and legal discrimination against people who are not Whites". The discrimination against non whites was a very emotive subject. The tour was considered supportive of this and people voice their opinions in support of equality.
New Zealand did not want South Africa to come to New Zealand because they did not want to play against black people.
1981 was when the springbok tour was
New Zealand became a divided country in the fact that half thought it was 'just a game' & the other half saw it as being racist in not letting non-white human beings play alongside the springboks in the 1981 Springbok Tour. Mass protests were held all over he country, and flour bombs were dropped on to the fields while the All Blacks and the Springboks were playing in the final. Anti-Apartheid protesters were beaten by police with batons & the majority of the protesters were arrested with blood dripping down their faces & bodies.
There were a number of organisations opposed to the 1981 Springbok tour including: HART (Halt All Racist Tours), CARE (Citizens Association for Racial Equality), COST ( Citizens Opposed to the Springbok Tour) and others. Key figures included John Minto, Trevor Richards and Tom Newnham.
1981 Springbok Tour
gleneagles agreement- short term apartheid-long term
HART halt all racist tours organisation
They didnt take no action
The 1981 Anti-Springbok Tour protesters hoped to get the attention of the public, by making large scale protests involving almost all of the locals. They hoped to educate the public, of the situation over in Southern Africa, and how the Aparteid were conducting racial and capitalist actions against innocent civilians.
New Zealand had signed The Gleneagles Agreement with other countries around the world. It stated that any country that signed the agreement would not participate in any sporting activities with South Africa until the apartheid was abolished. The government allowed the Springbok to come and play stating "no politics in sports" but many New Zealander's disagreed and organised protests to show their disapproval. My opinion on what happenede during the Springbok Tour is that the protestors had are reslly good reason for what they were doing.
South Africa first used the Springbok emblem on the 1906/07 Tour to the British isles and France. The y were first referred to as "De Springbokken" (The Springboks). see photograph at this link: http://www.rugbyrelics.com/images/aaaaa/or/20-1906-print.jpg
It ended because the tour was officially over. The Springboks played all the games they were scheduled to, barring the Hamilton and Timaru games which were cancelled due to extreme protesting. The tour wasn't ended early or anything, if that's what you were asking. It just finished.
It impacted everybody in New Zealand - including society. This was due to South Africa's Apartheid regime stepping in. And for this, society was divided, not just due to Apartheid - but also the tour, which seemed to influence Apartheid - as all teams where selected as white-skins. The Pro Tour people, where the Rugby fans, supporters and tour supporters - who favoured the coverage of all games, only to be disrupted throughout the tour. The Anti Tour, where consistent, as they were led by many organisations such as H.A.R.T (Halt All Racist Tours) by John Minto and other anti-apartheid orginisations. The Police on the other hand were a neutral concept throughout the tour, only to change their image. Not only did their lives change, but there work became involved more in danger, but it was there faulty work which caused the outbreak of 'civil war' in New Zealand. - These 3 collided, alongside the Muldoon Government, which seperated society in New Zealand for over 50 days during the tour. This impact escalated in violence, rioting and civil disruption across the nation. Families, Communities seperated, Rugby not idolised.