Don’t mix sport and politics

IT is obvious that the writer has no experience of actual rugby, and his gutter-sniping reporting style emphasises the fact that he has as usual confused rugby with politics and the colour of players in our national side.

We are facing the World Cup and here comes a long report on the percentages of black players selected.

I know that this letter will not be published, because I think the Sunday Times sports section is in turmoil and has a lack of quality reporters, or whatever you call them these days! — GK Jooste, by e-mail THANK you for highlighting South Africa’s nuclear procurement plan — even if it was only on page 10 — in “Greens, DA vow to block any nuke short cuts” and “From Russia with a great deal of risk and debt” (August 16). If this deal goes through, it will be disastrous for South Africa in terms of cost. We’d also be adopting technology that will likely be obsolete before the first plant is built.

According to newspaper articles, the cost projection for Hinkley C in the UK (for 3 260MW — a third of ours), went from £12-billion in 2008, to £16-billion in 2013, to £24-billion with interest costs to 2023 calculated in. The European Energy Commission suggested there could be an additional £10-billion (R202-billion) needed for “contingencies” if delays occur. Sort of worse than Medupi.

There’s also the significant cost of decommissioning. If the UK and the US are struggling with nuclear costs and post-plant disposal, what chance have we?— Jono Shubitz, by e-mail