It remains one of the most controversial episodes in rugby history, New Zealand’s 1986 tour of South Africa – and now you can relive the pressure, the politics and the battles, on and off the pitch, on DVD.
The All Blacks rocked the game when they departed New Zealand in a cloak and dagger operation to embark on an unofficial tour of South Africa. The move was condemned by politicians, protested against and made headlines around the world.
This almost three hour-long film is the complete story, documenting the people, planning, intrigue and behind-the-scenes manoeuvring that made the historic meeting of two giants of rugby possible. It features vintage news footage and contributions from some of the legends of the sport.
Plus, of course, there is the rugby. Battle of the Giants features a dozen hard-fought and nail-biting matches, including the four incredible test match meetings between the All Blacks and Springboks. Original commentary is complemented by match analysis from New Zealand manager Ian Kirkpatrick and contributions from some of the legendary players of the day – including Andy Dalton, Andy Haden, Jock Hobbs, Naas Botha and more.
The action, the tension, the punch-ups, the controversial refereeing and the heart-stopping moments of the series-deciding final test match – the whole story is here.