/ 15 May 2000

‘CATS SQUAD OK’ — SARFU

THE South African Rugby Football Union said on Monday that Cats coach Laurie Mains will not be disciplined for excluding Lions centre Mac Masina from his squad for Saturday’s Vodacom Super 12 semi-final against the Brumbies in Canberra. Sarfu president Silas Nkanunu said in a statement that reports saying that Mains will be disciplined are “inaccurate” and added that Mains’ decision was cleared on Thursday by Sarfu. “A gentlemen’s agreement on the inclusion of black players in the Super 12 was in place this season,” Nkanunu said. “Laurie was aware of this and hence made the effort to clear his decision with us beforehand. Hopefully, Sarfu will be in a position to rectify the situation and further its transformation ideals next year.” Meanwhile, Sarfu confirmed that the 28-man Springbok squad for the test series’ against Canada and England in June will be named on Saturday. The national selectors will meet on Saturday to watch the Super 12 semi-final between the Cats and the ACT Brumbies before finalising the squad.