SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 29 June 1939, Page 4

SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR

ALL BLACKS’ ITINERARY ; FOUR TEST MATCHES PROPOSED j SOUTH AFRICAN CONTROLLING BODY’S VIEWS I I United Uonl WELLINGTON, This Day. If proposals for the All Blacks’ tour of South Africa next year, as submitted to the executive of the New Zealand Rugby Union last night, are approved by the N.Z.R.U. Council, the New Zealand team will play four Test matches on the tour. The S )Uth African Rugby Football Board forwarded a draft agreement for l the tour. The agreement, the board ; slated, was identical with the agrec- | ment for the last Springbok tour of j New Zealand, but the following mat- | ters required special mention: — | “It is is proposed that the team should sail in the Dominion Monarch, leaving Wellington on 14th May, and arriving in South Africa on 2nd June. The Ceramic, which would leave South Africa about the middle of September, appeared to provide a suitable date for the return voyage. “The board earnestly hopes that : your union will agree to playing four ; Test matches. It is felt that no- undue j hardship will be caused to the team, while it solves a serious difficulty to j the board. j “As those of you who know South I Africa are aware, Johannesburg and j Cape Town must each have a Test J match. The claims of Port Elizabeth ; and Durban are equal. Both have excellent playing fields. r.nd finely ; equipped grounds. The Union of South Africa is so large that these two unions 1 have some large sections of the popuj lation which are far apart. During | the last visit of the British team Durj ban was left out. and the board afterj wards realised that this proved a great I disappointment and discouragement I for very many people. In regard to the ! total number of matches, it will be | observed that if the suggested sailing ! dates are accepted, there will be 24 playing days at least, allowing for a clear week before arrival and first match, and before each Test. “The draft committee will meantime proceed to draft an itinerary designed to provide for 24 to 25 matches, commencing with comparatively easy matches. It will also give attention to the question of providing for a visit i to the Victoria Falls and Kruger National Game Reserve.” A sub-committee. consisting of Messrs S. S. Dean. J. H. Parker, and J. Prendeville, was set up to consider the South African’s board's suggestions, and submit a report upon them to the council.