St Helen’s ArchivePreserving the past for the future

PH122

Photograph, B&W, Swansea v South Africa at St Helen's, 1969. Dimensions: w11 1/2" xh6 1/5" (w29.5 cm x h16.7 cm)

Photograph

CIC

1969-1970

This is one in a series of five photographs depicting the violence that erupted when anti-apartheid demonstrators invaded the pitch at St Helen's during the South African tourist's match against Swansea on 15th November 1969. Several demonstrations against the tour had already taken place and this was the most violent one where police and spectators from the crowd removed protestors from the pitch. At the time of this match opinions were divided on whether the Springboks ought to have been allowed to tour the UK, with the segregation policy of 'Apartheid' inflicting much suffering on the black and coloured population back in South Africa. Since that time views hardened outside of South Africa and much more pressure was brought to bear on the government there. Eventually the changes came from within as imprisoned activist and ANC leader Nelson Mandela was released (1992) and the apartheid structure began to collapse. But on this day in Swansea the friction generated by the situation in South Africa spilled over onto the pitch causing natinal headlines. For the record, Swansea lost 0 - 12.

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