Changing the game 'The great rugby transformation debate

Failed application to halt Boks could yield long-term results

THE bid to stop the Springboks from going to the World Cup may have failed, but rugby bosses and the government can still be forced by the courts to speed up transformation in the sport.

The Agency for a New Agenda (ANA) on Friday pushed forward with motion six of its original application for an interdict against the South African Rugby Union and the Springboks.

Motion six proposes that the courts compel Saru and the government to establish a commission of inquiry into the lack of transformation in rugby.

ANA initially applied for an interdict preventing the team from travelling to the UK.

Although Judge Moses Mavundla turned down the application in the High Court in Pretoria on Wednesday, he slammed the rate of transformation in rugby, saying it was moving at a “snail’s pace”.

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer last week named a 31man squad with eight black players for the tournament starting on September 18.

“Transformation wheels are grinding very slowly,” Judge Mavundla commented.

“Alan Paton says that Africans are very tolerant and they extend their hand — but there are those who are not prepared to reach out and grab it.”

ANA leader Tshidiso Mokhoanatse said: “We have removed the issue of transformation from institutions where it remained stuck — the national executive and Saru.”

Bantu Holomisa, leader of the United Democratic Movement, said transformation needed to extend beyond matters on the rugby field. However, he was satisfied with the demographic make-up of Meyer’s team.

“It was always known that ANA were not going to succeed in stopping the Boks,” he said.

“But they have brought the debate onto the table formally and are not just paying lip service. What we need now is to come up with a tangible programme.

“Transformation of sport should not be confined to the field but the people who run the sports must be knowledgeable.”

EIGHT BLACK FACES: The Springbok rugby squad picked by coach Heyneke Meyer to represent South Africa at the Rugby World Cup Transformation should not be confined to players “but also cater for facilities in schools, townships and rural areas”, said Holomisa.

AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel said politicians should stay out of matters pertaining to the selection of players.

“We are saddened by the fact that race had to play a role in the selection of the squad,” he said.

“Politicians and racial ideologists have no place in the selection of teams. [But] this whole debate that has broken out now is good in the sense that we need clarity on the road ahead.

“It won’t help us to have a huge debate every four years when there’s a World Cup. What has happened has created a foundation for seeking solutions.

“Luckily, ANA had a patient judge. I think the reason the judge went that route was because there is no legal foundation for such a case. They can be happy that the judge opened that door for them.”

Transformation wheels are grinding very slowly