South Africa travel to Zimbabwe on Wednesday for a short tour which takes in two Tests and three one-day internationals. But unlike the England trip at the end of the month, South Africa's departure has attracted few dissenting voices. The South African government and Cricket Board (UCB) are known to be behind the tour, and the government have recently attacked calls for it to be cancelled. Last week Ngconde Balfour, South Africa's Sports Minister, insisted the matter was not open for discussion. "Individuals with dubious intentions are deliberately attempting to encourage and provoke opposition to the Zimbabwean tour," he said. "These are the same people who applauded BJ Vorster when he announced in Bloemfontein in 1968 that a South African, Basil D'Oliveira, would not be permitted to represent England in a tour of South Africa simply because he was black". This view has been supported by a number of former Test players. Speaking in Johannesburg's Sunday Times Lee Irvine, who played in the 1969-70 series against Australia - South Africa's last before they entered two decades of isolation - said that he had no doubts that if the security of the players could be guaranteed then there was no question that the tour should proceed. "The players shouldn't have to make a stand on political issues. That's for politicians and the government to sort out. The players aren't politicians." Another player, who was not named by the newspaper, is reported as saying that, "I see absolutely nothing wrong with playing cricket in Zimbabwe. If people have a political axe to grind over the matter then that's their affair." The most vociferous voice in the opposing camp has been Mike Haysman, the host of SuperSport's high-profile cricket TV programme Extra Cover. He expressed grave concerns that Robert Mugabe's "irrationality" was too dangerous and feared that Mugabe might use the tour to try and advance his own agenda. Haysman was also extremely critical of the way in which the South African government had failed to secure guarantees from the Zimbabwean authorities regarding the safety of the players.

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