An analytical perspective of Afrikaner ideological hegemony (1961-1980): the role of politics and rugby
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Date
2015-06
Authors
Labuschagne, P. A. H.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Faculty of the Humanities, University of the Free State
Abstract
Afrikaner ideological hegemony was well established in the decade 1961-1970, both on the political
terrain and on the rugby field. In both instances, Afrikaner political prowess and masculinity were
dominant and Afrikaner ideological hegemony firmly established. On the political front, internal
black resistance was successfully suppressed and the white parliamentary opposition fragmented and
ineffective. The attainment of independence from the Commonwealth and the declaration of South
Africa as a Republic in 1961 were supported by a sharp upswing on the economic front, which also
coincided with major triumphs on the rugby field by the Springboks. However, the international scene
was changing and the racist sports policies, enforced by the National Party government, translated
into the All Blacks’ refusal to tour South Africa. Prime Minister John Vorster made superficial changes
to dismantle “petty” apartheid, which made it possible for the All Blacks to include Maori players in
their team. On the political front, however, developments took place that soon eroded the monolithic
Afrikaner ideological hegemony. The right-wingers split from the National Party to form the “Herstigte
Nasionale Party” (or translated, the Reformed National Party). Although the break was insignificant
at first, the cracks in the solidarity of the National Party soon widened. In the next decade (1971-1980)
there was an upsurge in black resistance and, as opposed to previous decades, it was better organised
and with much more force. This time the resistance was able to seriously threaten the apartheid regime’s
resolve and confidence. On the rugby field, the situation was not much better. The Springboks was
beaten in 1972 by an average English team and humiliated by the British Lions in 1974 when they were
unable to win a single test on home soil. The decade 1971-1980 therefore formed a sharp contrast and
stood in contradiction to the previous decade when Afrikaner ideological hegemony was at its peak. In
contrast, the 1971-1980 decade was a period of decline and a period when the Afrikaner largely lost its
dominance and its monolithic character. The National Party had to move to the left of the Conservative
Party and this started a process to normalise sport in the country
Description
Keywords
Afrikaner, Ideological hegemony, Springboks, Rugby, British Lions, National Party
Citation
Labuschagne, P. A. H. (2015). An analytical perspective of Afrikaner ideological hegemony (1961-1980): the role of politics and rugby. Journal for Contemporary History, 40(1), 125-143.