Tour controversy ‘does not bother Springboks’

Press, 6 August 1981, Page 3

Tour controversy ‘does not bother Springboks’

PA Wanganui The controversy surrounding the Springboks’ presence in New Zealand as they went into their fourth match yes terday has had little effect on the tourists themselves, according to the Springbok captain, Wynand Claassen.

“It doesn’t bother the men,” he said, in an interview.

Claassen had been asked to comment on how the Springboks were reacting to the uncertainties surrounding the tour and the constant threat of demonstrations. In an interview in the foyer of the Grand Hotel in Wanganui under the watchful eye of uniformed policemen, Claassen admitted this was not a normal rugby tour. However he pointed out that no Springbok tour in recent times had been normal in the sense that it had been free of demonstrations and controversy. “The touring party expected from the start that it

would not be normal,” he said. It knew things would be “difficult.”

“Psychologically we worked it out for ourselves that it would be difficult, and so because of that it was very easy for everyone in the side,” he said. “I think every player has adapted magnificently.” Claassen said that when the tour started “all the onesided, negative” articles in the news media did worry the team.

“But after a while it just became a laugh because it was so stupid.” In spite of the tight security surrounding the team on the tour, players were getting out to see and meet a lot of people. "We are not just staying in our hotel all the time.” he said. - ' - . '

Commenting on New Zealand attitudes on South Africa that he has encountered since he arrived here, Claassen said. “Sometimes ,when I talk to people I am

amazed that they really haven't a clue what is really going on there.” If people were honest with themselves, there was a lot of wrong all over the world, he said. Claassen, who is 30, and an architect, said a lot of countries tried to rectify these wrongs by revolution. “We try to do it by negotiation. That is what is going on in South Africa and nobody knows about it,” he said.

Revolution had wasted Africa, he said. “You can’t change overnight. That would be disastrous.”

Commenting generally on the tour, Claassen said, “I think it is going very well." He adopts a philosophical stance on the proposal that the last test could be cancelled by the New Zealand Rugby Union as a. gesture to the anti-tour faction.

“We expect to be two up by then,” he said.