Mbalula firm on Bok transformation target
The Minister of Sport has re-iterated a transformation target of 50 percent representation in the Springboks.
|||Johannesburg - Minister of Sport and Recreation Fikile Mbalula has re-iterated a transformation target of 50 percent representation in the Springboks.
Speaking at Sascoc House in Johannesburg on Thursday, Mbalula said that if the 50 percent representation was not met, the ministry would be able to take action against the SA Rugby Union (Saru).
The heads of the SA Football Association (Safa), Athletics SA (ASA), Saru, Netball SA (NSA) and Cricket SA (CSA) all signed the Eminent Person’s Report (EPG) on Transformation in Sport on May 18 at Sascoc House.
“We signed an agreement with rugby on 18 May. It gives us the opportunity to pursue transformation targets of 50 percent representation in the national team,” said Mbalula.
Mbalula, however, said he knew the Springbok team would not be able to meet that 50 percent representation at the World Cup.
“I said on May 18 the Springbok national team would not have been able to meet the targets but we agreed with Saru on 50/50.”
South Africa lost to arch rivals and eventual winners New Zealand in the World Cup semi-finals before beating Argentina in the play-off for third place.
However, the Springboks’ World Cup campaign was been marred by questions around an outdated style of play, continued speculation over whether incumbent coach Heyneke Meyer will be kept on and the ever-present issue around transformation.
Meyer came in for particularly stinging criticism following the match against Argentina when he played veteran scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar for virtually the entire match and only gave Rudy Paige, a player of colour, three minutes off the bench with the result long before put to bed.
The action the ministry could take if the transformation targets were not met would include the withdrawal of funding said Mbalula.
“We will not support the team, withdraw national colours, we will not recognise the team if they fail to transform.
“I’m zooming in on rugby because it’s as if nothing has been done and burying our heads in the sand. We’ve got a policy in place that must be implemented.”
Mbalula made the point that transformation should start at grassroots level.
“The players must come from the franchises, our approach is look at it holistically and how we affirm that the talented players are being selected. We must ensure organic development.
“But development in South Africa is skewed, the Springboks donning the national jersey are not coming from Soweto, they are coming from Kings College and St Albans. The reason why the majority of blacks master football is because they play it from the time we are born, we need to address why the people are playing soccer instead of rugby.”
African News Agency