About this episode

The episode discusses the rise of the anti-apartheid movement in the 1970s, focusing on sports protests in Australia against the South African government.

By the 1970s the anti-apartheid movement is growing around the world as protesters find ways to hit the South African government where it hurts most. In Australia, the action takes place in a very public way, by heading onto the sports field. Seven former Wallabies rugby players refuse to compete against the South African Springboks when they tour Australia. As mass protests divide the country, Premier Joh Bjelke Petersen declares a state of emergency in Queensland. First Nations activists join the fight, and even Aussie cricket legend Sir Donald Bradman gets caught up in the action.

Topics covered

• anti-apartheid movement
• sports protests
• Australian history
• First Nations activism
• rugby
• political protests

Keywords

• anti-apartheid
• sports protests
• Wallabies
• South Africa
• Joh Bjelke Petersen
• First Nations
• rugby
• politics
• 1970s

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: South African Springboks, Wallabies, anti-apartheid movement

Places: Australia, Queensland

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• 03 | Boycott! | Uprising · March 26, 2026 · 36 min
• 01 | Boycott! | Spear of the Nation · March 12, 2026
• Introducing: Boycott! The fight to end apartheid · March 3, 2026

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