Durban - Rugby and labour unions have blamed the Springbok rugby team’s lack of transformation on schools which are resistant to change and do not want to involve black pupils in the sport.
This came up during a transformation discussion between the South African Rugby Union (Saru) and Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) in Durban yesterday.
Fedusa had called the meeting following news that five black players had approached Cosatu to query the selection of players for the national squad and the lack of transformation.
Saru president Oregan Hoskins said schools that were resistant to change were affecting transformation in the Springboks.
“We are all aware there are schools that are resistant to change. Those schools need to be pressured to change because it is going to take a collective effort to make transformation succeed in our country.
“It has to be tackled at every single level including those schools that are resistant,” said Hoskins.
Hoskins said none of the players who had gone to Cosatu had come to him to raise their concerns about being excluded from the national team.
Western Cape Cosatu chairman Motlatsi Tsubane, who declined to name the concerned players, said early this month that the federation was still going to engage with the players to get clarity about their concerns. Fedusa general secretary Dennis George said after yesterday’s meeting he would meet his federation’s national executive committee to discuss how the game could be introduced at all the country’s schools.
“We want the ministers of education – basic and higher education – to introduce and strengthen rugby and soccer at school level.”
The Mercury