For 70 years, the axis of world supremacy in rugby union revolved around New Zealand and South Africa. This week's episode examines how that rivalry was fueled in the inter-war years, via drawn test series, contrasting styles, national pride and, crucially, the exclusion of Maori and all dark-skinned players to appease South Africa’s racist policies. If you want to understand Southern Hemisphere rugby union today, this is the key.
There’s a Pathe News report of the 1937 Auckland test match here on YouTube. For an overview of New Zealand rugby union’s deep relationship with South Africa, take a look at this article by Trevor Richards.