‘A stain on our history’ – SA Rugby to issue ‘overdue’ apology to Māori All Blacks
South African Rugby President Mark Alexander has confirmed talks are underway with New Zealand Rugby to host the Māori All Blacks next year.
The proposed fixtures would be part of a formal apology from SA Rugby for the historic exclusion of the Māori players during the country’s apartheid era.
Māori and Pasifika players were barred from touring with the All Blacks to South Africa in 1949 and 1960, while Sir Bryan Williams and Sid Going were infamously given ‘honorary white’ status for the 1970 and 1976 tours.
Māori All Blacks to tour South Africa
Alexander revealed the talks with NZ Rugby at the launch of ‘Scrumming Against All Odds’, a book that recognises the fight for justice and equality of SARU greats.
“We must also acknowledge that the injustice of apartheid extended beyond our borders,” the SA Rugby boss was quoted as saying by Keo.co.za.
“The Māori All Blacks—a team rich in heritage and pride—were denied the right to tour South Africa for decades, simply because they were not white. That exclusion was a stain on our history and it is long overdue that we confront it with humility and remorse.
“I am pleased to share that the South African Rugby Union is currently in discussion with our counterparts in New Zealand to host the Māori All Blacks for two matches on South African soil next season.”
This would form part of the All Blacks tour to South Africa, with Scott Robertson’s charges set to face off against the Springboks in a three-Test match series. New Zealand are also set to face off against all four of the South African United Rugby Championship teams: Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers. A fourth Test is to be held at Twickenham in London later in 2026, while the All Blacks are also slated to face a South Africa A team.
These [Māori All Blacks] games will not only be a celebration of rugby excellence—they will be a moment of reckoning, of recognition and of reconciliation,” Alexander continued.
“We intend to use this occasion to formally apologise for the discrimination they endured and to honour those who were excluded and marginalised here at home.
Scrumming Against All Odds captures this spirit. It reminds us that the soul of South African rugby was forged not only in stadiums, but in struggle.”
While the details of the All Blacks’ tour to South Africa have not been disclosed yet, SA Rugby have confirmed that an agreement has been reached to host a full-fledged All Blacks tour for the first time in 30 years.
In the governing body’s annual report for 2023, SA Rugby confirmed that the All Blacks will tour South Africa in 2026 and play a three-Test series against the Springboks.
This competition has significant potential financial benefits for the organisations involved, but it would also make a substantial contribution to sports tourism with a significant economic impact for our country,” SA Alexander said in the annual report.
“We have signed a memorandum of understanding and are finalising our agreement for 2026.”
