Rugby players for S.A.

Press, 20 December 1978, Page 20

Rugby players for S.A.

Sir, —- Mr P. R. Lindhorst (December 16) is right. “Nations and groups do seek to capitalise on the universal good will enjoyed by sport to advance whatever object or cause.” His own Government is an example. By enticing us to continue participating in its apartheid sports system. South Africa finds that we become so embroiled in the excitement of the game that we are willing to forget those people in South Africa trying to resist apartheid sport. They are represented by the non-rac-ial sports bodies, which Mr Lindhorst and his Government disdain. Recently Mr Hassan Howa, chairman of the non-racial South African Cricket Union, said: “Dr Koornhoff’s assurance to the world that there is no apartheid in sport in this country is nonsense. It is still there, and mixing is only allowed under Government permit.” Non-racial sports bodies ask us to support them by completely boycotting apartheid sport.. • — Yours, etc., A. J. CAMPBELL. ; December 16, 1978.

Sir, — It is infuriating to see New Zealand being blackma’led again by the African countries via their mouthpiece Mr Trevor Rich--ards. The Gleneagles Agreement does not include the visit of private individuals to South Africa. The six All Blacks could easily go as such. I agree with Mr Couch that sporting contacts with South Africa are worth while if only to gain firsthand impressions of the participation on merit in various sports. Apparently many other countries think along these lines by sending teams

and individuals to South Africa. No comment is made by the black countries about these contacts. No threats of boycotting. Of course one does not pick a fight with Britain or the United States. It might be too costly. It is much safer to get political gains by picking on a small country such as ours which does not provide profits either as financial support or in trade. — Yours, etc., H. E. MENRATH. i December 18, 1978. j