South Africa also toured the country, being met by 40 protesters when they arrived in the country. They upset New Zealand 4–3 at Carlaw Park. However, the match was not granted Test match status as the South Africans had enlisted two Australian guest players due to their serious injury toll sustained on the Australian leg of the tour.[1] The South Africans were assisted by Maurie Robertson while in New Zealand.
Canterbury held the Northern Union Cup at the end of the season, after they had defeated the West Coast 38–9 in Christchurch. Canterbury then successfully defended the trophy three times, drawing 10-all with Auckland at the Epsom Show Grounds, defeating Waikato 15–0 at Davies Park in Huntly and the West Coast 7–5 at Wingham Park in Greymouth.[2][4]
Southern Districts (Auckland) won the Rothmans tournament, defeating Linwood (Canterbury) 15–2 in the final.[2] Southern had defeated Te Mahoe (Bay of Plenty) 53–4, Ngaruawahia (Waikato) 26-9 and Waitara (Taranaki) 53–17.[1]
Eastern United won the Auckland Rugby League's Fox Memorial Trophy, Roope Rooster and Stormont Shield.[5] Southern Districts won the Rukutai Shield. Eastern United defeated Southern Districts 8–0 in the Fox Memorial final.[1]
This was the last year of the Auckland Rugby League's "district scheme", as the clubs voted to abandon it the following season.[1]
Wellington Marist and Christchurch Marist played against each other on 13 April in Wellington. The match was the first live rugby league telecast in the country.[2]