qTours to South Africa by England, Ireland, and Wales will be allowed to proceed following a landmark agreement yesterday between the republic's rugby union officials and controlling sports body.

The meeting diffused a crisis that had threatened to disrupt the Irish team's tour, starting on May 23, that of Wales in June, and England's one match in July. National Sports Council president Mluleki George announced that the two parties had agreed that a commission of inquiry would be appointed to investigate the affairs of the South African rugby union.

Tours of South Africa had been under threat following allegations of racism against the SARFU. The new commission's terms of reference will be jointly decided by the South African government, the SARFU, and the NSC, which has lifted their suspension of the rugby body.