The South African Rugby Union has apologised to New Zealand's Maori players and black players in South Africa who were discriminated against during the country's racist past.

SARU president Oregan Hoskins made the unexpected apology on Thursday, saying it was appropriate for SARU to apologise to Maori players who were excluded from tours to South Africa.

"Even more importantly, this is the opportunity to apologise on behalf of rugby to black South Africans who were denied the opportunity to represent their country and their provinces," Hoskins said in a statement.

Hoskins said the acknowledgment of the mistakes of SARU's predecessors was an attempt to lift the shadow of rugby's racially divided past in South Africa.

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP