1973 ’Bok Tour "On"

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32349, 15 July 1970, Page 18

1973 ’Bok Tour "On"

(From T. P McLEAN) BLOEMFONTEIN. Loud and prolonged cheers at the cocktail party at Potchefstroom on Monday greeted the statement by the All Blacks’ manager (Mr R. L. Burk) that the South African Rugby tour of New Zealand in 1973 was “on”. He was again cheered when he said that it would certainly not be 10 years before the All Blacks returned to play another tour of South Africa. He told the audience that this was in line with the tours policy laid by the International Rugby Board. New Zealand adhered to this policy and had accepted all engagements under it. In accordance with the policy, the tours of 1973 to New Zealand and later on in the 70’s back to South Africa, would proceed. Interviewed later, Mr Burk said that he saw nothing especially important in

the statement, even though the Nationalist newspapers yesterday morning splashed it all over their front pages. “I have no authority to go outside the policy of the New Zealand Rugby Union,” Mr Burk said. “This clearly states that we adhere to the international board’s plans.”

Told that some South Africans were of the opinion that the tours could be - jeopardised because New Zealand's policies toward South Africa might lead to - her explusion from either the Commonwealth or the Olympic Games, or both, ’ Mr Burk said: “I am afraid that has nothing to do with the New Zealand Rugby Union. “We are playing our own ' game. We have engagements, we have accepted them, and that is all there; is to IL 1 “We are playing sport on this tour, and at all times. We are not playing politics.”