South African Editor’s Appeal For Team To Go

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29177, 11 April 1960, Page 14

South African Editor’s Appeal For Team To Go

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, April 10. When the New Zealand Rugby Union failed on Friday to make a decision either to tour or not to tour South Africa this year, the “Dominion” cabled the editors of two leading South African newspapers asking their frank opinion on whether or not the team should go. In reply, one editor has appealed strongly for the tour to go ahead—“it could be that your Rugby team might exercise an influence that would greatly transcend their prowess on the playing field.” The other declared it “inappropriate” for a South African to influence a New Zealand decision. The editor of the “Johannesburg Star” replied: “I unhesitatingly advise the All Blacks to proceed with their tour of South Africa This country has been looking forward for a long time to this visit and there would be deep disappointment throughout the whole of the land if it were cancelled. "Moreover, the abandonment of the tour might be interpreted as a reflectioh on certain ideological attitudes in this country, which

would be most unfortunate, since it has always been a traditional policy in South Africa to keep sport outside the realms of politics. “If there is one common denominator in South Africa, it is a love of sport—and that applies to all sections of the people—and no other sport in the world is followed with such passionate interest as Rugby. > “Please urge on the All Blacks that we earnestly want them to come to us—this year of all years. “We are passing through troubled and anxious times and it could be that your Rugby team might exercise an influence that would greatly transcend their prowess on the playing field. “I assure you that the All Blacks would run no risk whatever in visiting South Africa—except that they might lose the test series.” The editor of the “Cape Times” replied: “The Rugby tour is entirely a decision for New Zealanders. 1 feel it would be inappropriate for a South African to influence that decision.”