As part of the Cardwell Reforms of the 1870s, where single-battalion regiments were linked together to share a single depot and recruiting district in the United Kingdom, the 83rd was linked with the 86th (Royal County Down) Regiment of Foot, and assigned to district no. 63 at Victoria Barracks, Belfast. The 83rd began to prepare to return to Britain in late 1880, drafting volunteers who wished to remain in India to other units. The order was countermanded in January 1881, however, three weeks before the scheduled sailing date, and the regiment was sent instead to South Africa for service in the First Boer War. It sailed on HMS "Crocodile" and arrived in the theatre in March, where it was employed on rear-area labouring duties.