Cosatu is racially motivated and clueless about rugby

COSATU and Gwede Mantashe’s criticism of Heyneke Meyer’s Springbok selection is obviously flawed.

The union federation and Mantashe are hopelessly un-informed about rugby, its culture and supporters.

The Springboks are chosen by a group of selectors, not just the coach, yet Cosatu has directed its tirade at one person, highlighting its racial motives.

Cosatu has failed to direct this same foaming mouth at the national soccer coach for his failure to select a racially representative soccer side after consistent poor performances.

Yet one poor performance by the national rugby side stimulates an outburst of national conscience, exposing an obsession with race. Honest people don’t judge others by their skin colour, but by the nature of their actions.

The game of rugby is about team work and camaraderie. No true rugby supporter cares less who the team is made up of, as long as it is the best possible one.

It has been white players, like Pollard, having an off day who have incurred the wrath of booing crowds recently. Players of colour would suffer the same. The race of the player is insignificant. Selections have always been hotly debated.

The poorly disguised quota system breeds contempt for the unfortunate players selected in this manner. Supporters know who deserves their place in the team and who doesn’t.

Don’t do this to good people. Let players be remembered for what they could do, not for what they couldn’t do.

All we want is to enjoy this game played by our best sportsmen, irrespective of their race… and win!

Bedfordview