Popular views amaze as rugby in township schools has always been represented

IN JANUARY 1968, I registered as a student at Fezeka Secondary School. The main sports were rugby, netball and athletics. Everybody was encouraged to participate. I recall that in rugby, our school had meticulous players.

They were so good that if they had opportunities at provincial and national levels, they would excel. Our main rival was Langa High School. Our school players even participated in local teams and excelled. In 1971, Fezeka Secondary School became a high school and continued to play rugby against Langa.

Wednesday was always a sports day. I always wonder when some people think that rugby was never a township sport. In the 1960s and 1970s, national teams such as Leopards and Proteas excelled in rugby. Unfortunately, because of the Separate Amenities Act, our teams were never given Springbok accreditation, though there was a lot of talent.

I remember very well the John McBride British Lions tour in the 1970s; they were never beaten and only one team managed to score a try against them – the Leopards from South African townships. It always pains me as a rugby fan to hear people saying rugby was never a township sport.

This is misinformation. Let us support the Springboks and wish that they bring that coveted Cup home. Transformation and merit selection are challenges facing our Springboks. In the townships, schools rugby and sport generally must be resuscitated. Zolile Sogiba