The importing of Springbok supporter jerseys by the SA Rugby Union (Saru), allegedly from a Chinese company, was a scandal, union federation Cosatu said on Tuesday.
Western Cape Cosatu spokesman Tony Ehrenreich said the move proved Saru management had no regard for the national priority of creating jobs. Its management was merely focused on short-term profits for Saru and its officials, he said.
“This is no doubt the same Saru philosophy that gives rise to the slow pace of development and transformation in rugby.”
The Congress of SA Trade Unions wanted a Saru undertaking by Friday that a special arrangement would be made to locally manufacture supporter jerseys.
Cosatu also wanted Saru to apologise to the country's workers for not supporting “proudly South African production”.
Ehrenreich said the move by Saru might have a negative impact on the support for the national team in the World Cup among the working class.
If Saru did not comply, Cosatu would consider protesting.
“Saru cannot comment at this stage, but we will respond to the matter in due course,” said Saru spokesman Rayaan Adriaanse.
The Independent Democrats (ID) said Saru's alleged use of a Chinese company was a slap in the face for a struggling local textile industry.
“It's disgraceful that the SA Rugby Union has outsourced the manufacturing of the official replica Springbok gear to a Chinese company,” ID spokesman for sport Joe Mcgluwa told the SABC. He said he would refuse to wear the Springbok jersey during the Rugby World Cup, despite his support for the team.
Saru missed a golden opportunity to support the Proudly South African campaign and further disadvantaged low income earners, Mcgluwa said. – Sapa