NO DECISION ON ’BOKS, FRENCH

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31440, 5 August 1967, Page 17

NO DECISION ON ’BOKS, FRENCH

DUNEDIN.

The sentiments expressed by Mr K. Louw that he hoped to see many an outstanding New Zealand team in South Africa as well as many victorious Springbok teams touring New Zealand would be those of New Zealand administrators, said Mr T. C. Morrison, chairman of the council of the N.Z.R.U. yesterday.

At its council meeting, the N.Z.R.U. received a letter from Mr Louw, manager of the 1965 Springboks, in which he congratulated the union celebrating its seventy-fifth anniversary on August 19. Asked if he felt that Mr Louw, a senior member of the South African Rugby Board,

was in a subtle way hinting that it would be all right for a New Zealand team to tour South Africa in 1970, Mr Morrison said: “No. PERSONAL VIEW

“I think he is just expressing his personal view: just as we here would express our views that we hope a tour will be made in 1970 if the situation allows it”

Mr Morrison said that he had not heard officially from the South African Rugby Union since the South African Prime Minister (Mr Vorster) made his speech in April which suggested that South Africa would relax its laws against coloured players playing sport in the Republic. "That we have not heard anything is, I feel, not a bad sign. After all the tour, if it does occur, is not until 1970. There is plenty of time yet for a decision to be made.” The council had not heard from the French Rugby Union yet in regard to the confirmation of its tour of New Zealand next year, Mr Morrison said. It was decided that the executive should try to get confirmation of the itinerary.