Dr Craven applauds vote

Press, 18 April 1985, Page 8

Dr Craven applauds vote

NZPA-Reuter Johannesburg The chairman of the South African Rugby Board, Dr Danie Craven, welcomed as an example to the rugbyplaying world the decision to send an All Black team to South Africa this year. “It is a very brave decision, but they are brave people,” Dr Craven said. “I am delighted. I expected it, because I know the rugby people of New Zealand and I know their attitudes towards rugby and sport in general. “I respect them for this. Not only will South Africa benefit but the whole rugbyplaying world, because it is an example to them all,” he said. Foreign rugby teams have toured South Africa in recent years in spite of an international sports boycott imposed in protest against

its apartheid race laws. The last All Black tour to South Africa, in 1976, led to an African boycott of the Olympic Games at Montreal, while the Springbok tour of New Zealand in 1981 caused widespread protests. South Africa’s main antiapartheid group, the two million-member United Democratic Front, has said it will rally mass demonstrations against the tour, while the black consciousness Azanian People’s Organisation has said it will do its best to make the All Blacks’ stay “as uncomfortable as possible.” Most demonstrations are illegal in South Africa. Dr Craven said he was not anxious about the protests, adding, “They have said they will not use violence.” No plans had been made for special arrangements to

protect the tourists from demonstrations. “We will play it by ear,” he said. Earlier this . year, Dr Craven urged the South African Government to scrap controversial laws barring sex across the colour line, and their imminent repeal was announced yesterday. Referring to this and to further promised reforms of apartheid, Dr Craven said, “The antis (anti-apartheid campaigners) are after our Government, and it is our Government that is making all the changes.” The tour would be “a terrific impetus for rugby and for the changes which are taking place in South Africa. One could almost call it a recognition by New Zealand that South Africa is on the right road,” Dr Craven said.