The Second World War, the ‘Rugby Split’, and the Afrikanerization of White Rugby in South Africa, c.1940–1956

Abstract

South Africa’s entry into the Second World War caused great controversy in the country, dividing its white society down the middle. English-speakers were largely in favour of the war effort, while Afrikaners, amidst an era of resurgent nationalism, were mostly against. These sentiments manifested in the sport of rugby where a split occurred between those who played matches for war funds and those opposed. The ‘rugby split’ led to the establishment of parallel, pro-Afrikaner unions in the Western and Eastern Provinces, and an attempt in the Transvaal to oust the union’s English administrators. Despite the efforts of the South African Rugby Football Board (SARFB) to heal the divide, it was the end of the war and the subsequent removal of the contentious issue of charity matches that re-united the two factions. Importantly, the ‘rugby split’ spurred on the Afrikanerization of white rugby in South Africa – a process which took place in the context of war, divided political opinions, and power struggles in the boardroom.