1986 - South Africa vs NZ Cavaliers, 1st Test (Battle of the Giants)

South Africa 21 - 15 NZ Cavaliers
New Zealand Cavalier Tour to South Africa
Newlands Stadium, Cape Town
10 May 1986

[@mosesmanaka8109]

Notice how well the English commentators speak particularly their pronunciation of Afrikaans names, absolutely world class standard in broadcasting.

[@glen1482]

Watching Danie Gerber run out of that tunnel, what a legend! And Naas place kicking a penalty into touch, haven't seen that since. What a great team that was, imagine if they had played in the WC the following year, they would have made a massive impact!

[@laurentlassen7812]

Was there on this day!!! Great atmosphere it was.

[@julianmallach348]

Still remember watching that Carel Du Plessis try as a child in SA as if it were yesterday. It was my first taste of watching international rugby and I seem to remember this general feeling of trepidation before the game that maybe NZ would be too strong for the Springboks after the years of isolation, and it looked like that was the case when they were leading 9-0. That try at the end though... I remember it seemed like it happened almost in slow motion, the sheer tension of hoping CDP would somehow get there and do it (was my fav player at the time aswell). Just remember the pure elation and emotion of the moment, feeling so proud and realizing that for SA, this was huge. Still tear up every time I see it.

[@user-te3jc3sl7r]

Ok it wasn't an official test match series but does that really matter? Had the Cavaliers (All Blacks) won the series they would have been gloating about it. Shame sporting boycotts prevented the Boks playing in the first RWC in 1987. They had the nucleus of a great team to match the ABs in 87.

[@MrAhuapai]

Not many South Africans are aware of how much disapproval of this side there was in NZ . The team snuck out of the country .None of the matches were broadcast and unlike in 1981 there was a clear majority who disapproved of their actions. The captain Andy Dalton was one who seemingly was cursed by going to SA.. He was punched from behind in an early tour match and had his jaw broken . It was a cowardly act and as a result he had to sit out the Cavaliers tour. Dalton then returns home to find another young hooker has been selected for the Baby Blacks, the non Cavalier side who beat the Five nations champion French side . That player was Sean Fitzpatrick and once he got the jersey he wouldn't let go for another 12 years Dalton was to co captain the ABs in the RWC 87 but with Fitzpatrick now the incumbent, Dalton had to watch from the sidelines as David Kirk the on field captain got to parade around with the inaugural RWC trophy. Karma is a bitch.

[@darren2514fv]

Dalton was the only player from the 1978 Grand Slam side who was in the 1987 World Cup squad

[@joedennehy386]

It shows what happens when you quit your jersey, and go on unauthorized tour for money.

[@ryangoodman13]

History proves that it was a "clear majority" of ignorance.

[@julianmallach348]

Be that as it may, for everyone in SA it was huge. And you could argue that in a sense, the Cavaliers tour in 86 and the Australian crickets tours around about the same time enhanced the effect of the sporting sanctions, by giving SA a small taste of what we were missing, and boy were we missing it.

[@avi8ordude]

4:45 onside all day..

[@riaan237]

En nou word daar nie meer op Nuweland gespeel nie. 😡

[@noleenpeake2164]

Sad

[@JOATMOFA]

4ken hartseer!

[@joedennehy386]

Not a test sorry bro

[@antstry77]

what do you mean?

[@joedennehy386]

@@antstry77 it wasn't a representative team from new Zealand, it was a team of mercenaries. Most of whom never played for New Zealand again. South Africa was then, and is to this day (2023) our greatest opponent. But it wasn't the All Blacks

[@antstry77]

@@joedennehy386 South Africa awarded test colours for all 4 matches, so considered it as test matches, regardless what NZ felt or did.

[@aaronstevens8261]

​@Rainmanrugby Of course they did, the isolation had influenced their decision.

[@biggest23]

@@antstry77 …..Still not a test, or test series.

[@sandrasassman-qw4hb]

Not sorry no more newlands parking terrible better at green point

[@Nineteenseventy2]

Sad tour that should never had happened. Aparteid was still in control and the "Cavaliers" were there for money. When they got back to NZ several never played for New Zealand again. They were never seen as test matches as the Cavaliers were not a country technically. Shameful time in the history in New Zealand rugby.

[@brettwilkinson9529]

I was glad the tour went ahead after the tour was canceled the previous year by two shit stirring lawyers. Without South Africa involved , World rugby was boring . You have to have the best team involved and South Africa during that time were the best team. Keep politics out out sport. No one seems to worry about countries that suppress womens rights all over the Middle East and Africa these days. Do they get a Hall Pass? Yet because South Africa didn't give the blacks the vote, others wanted to boycott them .Nothing but hypocrites.

[@gregconway736]

Only because you NZ chokers lost.

[@Nineteenseventy2]

@@gregconway736 Has no relevance this comment, The tour should never have happened, no one back in NZ supported the tour. I didn't and still don't. Seems you're showing your true "colours" there Mr Conway.

[@gregconway736]

The packed stadiums in 1981 when SA toured NZ showed that you were a country full of racists. Also Ardern racist immigration controls shows it still goes on. A horrible xenophobic country.

[@koosvandermerwe8298]

Thank you for receiving all the south african immigrants since 1994. Much appreciated. Many more to come!