S.A. to tackle champion?

Press, 17 January 1986, Page 19

S.A. to tackle champion?

The South African Rugby Board president, Dr Danie Craven, believes next year’s World Cup winner must play the Springboks before it can claim the world crown.

Dr Craven said it would be “ludicrous” for any rugby nation to call itself world champion without a match against South Africa. His board planned to challenge the winning country to play the Springboks after the cup final in New Zealand.

“Our playing strength is the factor which, above all others, commands the respect of the international rugby countries,” he said.

Meanwhile the “Daily Telegraph” newspaper reported in London that British and Irish rugby officials were discussing the possibility of staging a Lions tour of South Africa after the Commonwealth Games this year.

The South African board has withheld the invitation but the “Telegraph” noted Dr Craven had “made it crystal clear the tour had been postponed, not cancelled.”

It said there was a “genuine desire not to impede the Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh in July.” But meetings have been held about a tour after the Games and the Australian coach, Alan Jones, was involved in discussions in South Africa, the “Telegraph” said. Dr Craven stressed the board’s decision to withhold its tour invitation to the British Lions was the right one “in view of the overseas political climate and the adverse television exposure” South Africa had received. The S.A.R.B. action had been welcomed by its overseas friends and this would be reflected at the 1.R.8.’s annual meeting in March, he said.

NZP/1 LONDON