RUGBY TOURS
SOUTH AFRICAN ACTION
; J> "Some time ago the New Zealand Rugby.Football "Union extended an invitation to the South African Rugby Board/to .send a team on- tour to New Zealand in 1934. According to advico received from Cape Town the tour will >not eventuate, the board having decid- ' cd that it could not accept tho invitation for 193-1 and that further consideration of.the matter should bo left to a .later date.' .
At the same time, however, the board favourably rcceivod aVoquest from the River Plate Rugby Union for a team from South Africa to undertako a tour of the Argentine for about two and a half months from July, 1932. It was felt that South Africa would be doing pioneer work by meeting this request and that great servico would bo done to the .Argentine'and to Rugby if a team could go. Tho board decided that aft team, of 'University'strength,-should be sent. .ft. .; , , .
Mr. T. B. Picnuar was appointed manager, of: the .South African team to visit the British Isles shortly. . The question of extending this tour to include Franco and Germany, or, one of these countries, was left'to the English Rugby Union, with a stipulation that the team must return from Southampton not; later than the sth February, 1932. "
"There is no doubt that South Africa's, fame as a Rugby playing country carries with it the penalties of greatness," states a ..South African .critic in commenting upon the boards decisions. "We complain over and over again about the multiplication of tours,, yet the sending of a team (of about University strength) to South America was bound to receive sympathetic treatment from the board. The mon who go to Europe will nOt be affected by it, so that the question of the same players requiring leave does : ,UQt arise. It is certainly excellent pioneer work, and the Rugby game as h whole is bound to benefit. . That the South African Board is fully alive to the 'danger of ioo many' tours was .proved by the decision to decline New Zealand's invitation for 1934 and ro consider the matter at a later date. Of course, we are at home to the Australians in 1933.'"^
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Bibliographic details
Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 8, 9 July 1931, Page 11
Word Count
364RUGBY TOURS Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 8, 9 July 1931, Page 11
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