Cape Town - Trade union federation Cosatu is to embark on an international campaign to expose people within the rugby fraternity who resist transformation in the sport.
Launching a scathing attack on the country’s rugby bosses on Monday, Cosatu condemned the selections of the SA Rugby Union that saw black players excluded to make place for what it called “Heyneke’s white favourites” – a reference to coach Heyneke Meyer.
The federation’s criticism follows the Springboks’ humiliating 37-25 defeat to Argentina in Durban on Saturday evening in the Rugby Championship – the first time in history the Pumas beat the Boks. The Springboks, who lost their three Tests in the Rugby Championship, finished bottom of the log. Cosatu says it plans to take a stand against what it dubbed “white control, domination and manipulation of the rugby squad”.
Cosatu’s provincial secretary, Tony Ehrenreich, said on Monday the lack of black players in SA rugby teams had reached a crisis point, especially after Saturday’s debacle. “The team only had two black South African players in the starting line-up. No other team could possibly perform worse than this team and we insist that a more representative team be picked for the next game.”
Ehrenreich said Meyer did not have the national interest at heart, and said the coach “demonstrates a sense of arrogance in disregarding the interest of the majority of South Africans, by treating SA rugby as his private fiefdom”.
Cosatu said not a word has been said about Meyer being the worst-performing coach in the Rugby Championship.
“When coach (Peter) De Villiers led the team, the white establishment was quick to criticise him, yet there is a deafening silence now. There is a white cabal which still tries to control the rugby team and who gets to play in it. They must be told in no uncertain terms that this Springbok team belongs to all South Africans and should reflect all South Africans,” Ehrenreich said.
He said the current situation in SA rugby was nothing but the practice of “reverse affirmative action” because certain positions were still reserved for white players.
“This maintenance and control of the white establishment is reflected in who gets the most lucrative contracts and who gets to continue in the sport in leadership and administrative positions,” he added.
Cosatu claims it has been approached by black players who said they were victimised when they raised issues of transformation with the rugby leadership.
“The rugby establishment defends the privileged position of white players and the captain Jean de Villiers is an example of this. Any other player, anywhere else in the world, would have to play himself back into the team after such a long absence, yet he gets to just walk back into the team,” said Cosatu.
Ehrenreich called on Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula and the rugby fraternity to stop pandering to white interests.
“We want the coach removed and a more representative team selected that represents all the people of South Africa.”
The SA Rugby Union could not be reached for comment on Monday.
Cape Argus