Probe racism at Saru

COSATU has been approached by players and commentators in the South African Rugby Union (Saru) SuperSport areas for assistance against the racism that exists there.

It is clear from the developments in the game that the cabal made up of SuperSport and Saru are pushing old white interest. The Stellenbosch mafia are also involved in the manipulation of the sport. The following are worrying features:

The commentators face huge inequalities in salaries/ payments, which are both labour law violations, but also subtle racism.

The players are being set up to fail with the choices made by coach Rassie Erasmus, for the games, which do not suit their strengths (like Elton Jantjies in the wet).

Players are preference and not chosen on form from the season for starting line-ups.

Other players are set up for failure with the way the selections are manipulated.

Old Players like Schalk Brits are brought into team with no sound logic from World Cup.

Captain Siya Kolisi is taken off the field for no good reason.

The black players are moved out of position to give space for the preferred white players.

Warrick and Jantjies and Damian Willemse, who have been the best in Super Rugby, have been moved around to preferred white players.

We demand the government launches an investigation into the developments to ensure there is fairness. We have seen too many instances where the Saru and SuperSport have not considered the majority of South Africans.

This sport belongs to the entire country and we cannot allow Erasmus to make irrational decisions to advance old white interest. We accept he is the coach and must be allowed to follow his game plan, but irrational decisions, that benefit white players ahead of form black players, have to be examined. Paul Bester Provincial Organiser Educator Cosatu Western Cape