LITTLE HOPE OF TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA

Chronicle (Levin), 29 July 1947, Page 7

LITTLE HOPE OF TOUR OF SOUTH AFRICA

WELLINGTON; July 28. Tlie prospeets of the New Zealand Rugby team going to Soutli Africa next season are now more bieak tlian ever, according to a brief diseussion at today's meeting of tlie management com rnittee of tlie New' Zealand Rugby Union. The ehairman, Mr. S. S. Dean, agreed tliat tlie tenor of a letter from Mr. S. Pienaar, tlie well-known Springbok adininistrator, tliat a tour, at least so fai as 1948 is eoneerned, is "pretty hopeless.' ' Mr. Dean mentioned that tlie possibility liad been explored of linding a way to youth Afrfea via Batavia, ' ' but, ' ' he added, 1 ' I should say that Batavia is about the last place to send a Rugby team these days. " Mr. Dean added that the letter he had received r'rom Mr. Pienaar mdieated that South Africa had practically deeided that it was hopeless to expect a New Zealand team next season. He, liowever, desirecl that the final decision should be postponed as long as possible in the liope that something miglit turn up. Apparently, said Mr. Dean, South Africa regarded the position as hopeless and that was what he thought too. They had the South African Governiuent behind them and their High Commissioner in London was also pushing very hard but it did not appear that they would be able to aecomplish anything. Mr. J. Prendeville said he was against the trip. It would be better to call it off. It was deeided to send Mr. Pienaar 's letter to members of the couneil.