John Vorster says SA will welcome Maoris

Prime Minister John Vorster said that South Africa would welcome Maoris in New Zealand rugby teams. The presence of Maoris, a non-White indigenous New Zealand population, was contrary to South Africa's policies of racial segregation in sports. John Vorster allowed the Maoris to play in this game fearing that a move to prevent them from playing would push the international rugby community to isolate South Africa from international competition. This move came at a time when international sporting bodies like the Football International Federation Association (FIFA) banned South Africa from taking part in any FIFA sponsored soccer tournament. Click here to read about the origins of rugby. Click here to read about South Africa and FIFA.