U.S. view of rugby tour not changed

Press, 19 August 1981, Page 3

U.S. view of rugby tour not changed

NZPA Washington United States State Department officials said yesterday there was no change in the Administration's attitude towards the Springboks’ three-match visit to the United States next month, in spite of a $U525,000 gift from a South African businessman to the sponsoring rugby union.

“We had known for some time about this contribution,” said one official. “But we still have no evidence that the money came from the South African Government." The United States Government policy is to oppose any official sports links with South Africa. It does not object to private exchanges, however, and visas have been issued to the Springboks on the basis that they will be making a private tour. According to a reliable rugby source, the United States Rugby Union is investigating the gift to determine its “real origin and purpose."

The money was given to the regional Eastern Rugby Union by a millionaire Johannesburg businessman, Mr Louis Luyt, who was a key figure in the Information Ministry scandal which led to President John Vorster’s resignation in the late 19705. It was the Eastern RugbyUnion, not the national body, which invited the Springboks to the United States. The money was received last December, the month the

union formally invited the South Africans.

Eastern Rugby Union officials yesterday denied any connection between the gift and the Springbok tour. They said the money had been used on coaching and refereeing programmes.

Relations between - the Eastern body and other regional rugby unions have been strained since the invitation was first issiied and news of the gift seems sure to exacerbate them.

But all the rugby officials appeared united in remaining adamant that the Springboks' three-match visit would proceed. •

. Plans were in hand for alternative venues for the three matches, to be played in Chicago. Albany, and NewYork City.