Lise Beyers
In the shadow of apartheid South Africa’s rigid segregation laws, a remarkable rugby team emerged from Stellenbosch University (SU) in 1985 that would challenge the status quo.
Known as “De Akker Vyftiental”, this team became the first from Stellenbosch to break protocol by competing in Western Cape leagues designated for black and coloured players, at a time when such integration was not only frowned on but actively discouraged by authorities.
Some of the original De Akker XV team members recently revisited their home field, none other than Mbekweni Stadium, between Paarl and Wellington, as part of the team’s 40th anniversary celebrations.
Named after the popular Stellenbosch pub of the same name, the De Akker XV formation was born by a few like-minded SU students purely for the love of the game of rugby and to be inclusive in society.
And what began as conversations over drinks would evolve into a powerful statement against the segregated sporting landscape of 1980s South Africa.
Perhaps most surprising was the blessing given to the team by Dr Danie Craven, a towering figure in South African rugby who served as president of the South African Rugby Board from 1956 to 1993. Despite the political climate, Craven’s endorsement provided the team with a degree of legitimacy that few other integration efforts received during this period.
A previous Akker player, Prof Ronnie Donaldson said although many thought this initiative was purely political at the time, it was actually only a group of students who wanted to see the game of rugby rolled out to a more inclusive platform.
Other students who played a key role in Akker XV were Donaldson’s brother John, political commentator Professor Piet Croukamp, writer Emile Joubert and journalist Louis de Villiers.
The Akker XV didn’t just play rugby; they did so during the apartheid regime’s State of Emergency, a period of heightened political tension and increased powers for security forces.
Their Sunday matches at township venues often took place with Casspir military vehicles stationed at the fields.
“It was a difficult time in the country’s history and SU was then also under the reign of conservatives such as PW Botha and rector Mike de Vries. But Doc Craven gave us his blessing and we were mostly accepted.”
Donaldson said the team did, however, not represent SU.
He added that there was only one stumbling block, and that was that the university did not want them playing rugby on a Sunday. But these were the only days that the team could get together.
They then opted for Mbekweni as a homeground, where they played against numerous teams of colour. In doing so, they were welcomed into the community, despite the presence of the security police, who where not overly excited in seeing young “white boys” playing against the “enemy”.
Donaldson is also involved in a Showmax documentary which is being filmed about the Akker XV team and their efforts.
The Akker XV was an important example of how sport can sometimes transcend political barriers.
Their willingness to cross the colour line in sport, demonstrated that integration was not only possible, but could be embraced by some within even the most conservative institutions, one former player reflected.
“Another time, another country,” Donaldson declared.
Yet the courage shown by these Stellenbosch players to defy convention and play the sport across racial boundaries provides an important chapter in the complex history of SA sport during apartheid.
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