Johannesburg - Cosatu in the Western Cape firmly supports quotas in rugby and other sporting codes, it said on Tuesday.
“Cosatu in the Western Cape has been requested by some of the black players to speak on behalf of their particular interests,” Congress of SA Trade Unions provincial secretary Tony Ehrenreich said in a statement.
“The players' unions clearly represent the majority of white players and speak mainly in the interest of these white players.”
He said Cosatu's broader view was also to support quotas in all sporting codes.
“Cosatu calls for more representivity in all sporting codes, including more whites in soccer, as the national teams must represent the demographics of the whole country.”
It was reported on Monday that Saru president Oregan Hoskins had sent a message to Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer about having a greater representation of blacks in the national team.
Hoskins said he personally delivered the message to Meyer.
“We need to give black players, specifically 'African blacks', more chances in the team,” Hoskins said.
“I spoke to the coach and he agreed the time is right for this. I believe we will already see a change or two against Scotland this coming weekend.”
Civil rights organisation AfriForum said it would submit an official complaint to the International Rugby Board (IRB) against the SA Rugby Union's proposed quota system.
AfriForum chief executive Kallie Kriel said IRB rules prohibited racial discrimination and political interference in rugby.
Ehrenreich said Cosatu rejected AfriForum's view as that of a racist cabal trying to defend the generational advantage of white players.
“The discussions on quotas were delayed because the administrators have allowed coaches to make decisions outside of the national interest,” Ehrenreich said.
“This must stop, as the majority of South Africans demand more representative teams, in spite of cosy deals between black and white sports administrators.”
The political leadership should also be more decisive in enforcing quotas in sporting codes, he said.
Sapa