Rugby Not Helping Its Reputation by Touring South Africa

Claims by rugby officials that the U.S. tour of South Africa is only in the interest of promoting the sport are short-sighted and self-serving.

As a 15-year veteran of the game, I believe that rugby is probably the least racist sport I know of, at any level, but we must look beyond the game itself. Continued tours of South Africa surely cannot help the world’s perception of the game and its players.

Perhaps the day will come when we can tour South Africa with pride in the fact that we were part of the solution.

Until then, we are part of the problem.

MARK SCOTT

Seal Beach