The South African Rugby Football Union (Sarfu) has decided to approach ”an eminent person” to conduct an independent investigation into racism in the sport after allegations by Springbok media coordinator Mark Keohane, who resigned on Tuesday.
”The board of SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd and the executive committee of Sarfu held separate meetings in Cape Town on Tuesday to discuss events following last week’s incidents at the Springbok training camp in Pretoria,” according to a Sarfu statement.
”The board and the executive agreed that SA Rugby and Sarfu had acted appropriately on information received from team management last week. They supported the process followed by MD Rian Oberholzer and, ultimately, the CEO of Sarfu, Mveleli Ncula, in launching an investigation into allegations of racism within the Springbok camp.
”The two bodies were further informed of the resignation of Springbok communications manager Mark Keohane, who today came forward with new allegations of prejudice within the Springbok camp.
”In light of this the board and executive considered these allegations serious enough to warrant a new investigation.
”The board and the executive also reaffirmed their full and unequivocal support for Mr Oberholzer, and dismissed all allegations and criticisms levelled against him via the media, and through other sources.
”The board and executive expressed dismay at the manner in which Mr Oberholzer had been treated by sections of the media and others over the past few days,” the statement concluded.
The initial furore erupted last Thursday when it was reported that Geo Cronje, a white lock from the Bulls, had refused to share a room or bathroom with Quinton Davids, a black lock from Western Province.
Although Cronje was later found not guilty, neither he nor Davids was selected for Straeuli’s World Cup squad announced on Saturday.
Minister of Sport and Recreation Ngconde Balfour called Keohane’s resignation ”drastic” but one that cannot be lightly dismissed.
”It is, however, important that all South Africans must remain rational and calm in dealing with this issue.
”Keohane’s specific allegation of prejudice within the squad is cause for concern and must be addressed at the highest level. Any allegation of prejudice, more so if it has racial undertones, must never be treated lightly, no matter the source of its origins.
”The report that he has submitted to SA Rugby should not be viewed as an attempt to undermine rugby or to bring the sport and its leadership into disrepute. Rather, it should be used in conjunction with reports from members of the Springbok management to address areas of concern in order to bring the focus back to the preparation of our team for the World Cup.
”Now is not the time for recriminations and apportioning blame. Solutions are needed and I wish to call on all stakeholders in rugby and the public to allow the sport the space to tackle problems that might exist.
”We must at all costs prevent polarised positions from taking a hold in rugby and instead concentrate our efforts on finding solutions that will be to the benefit of the sport.” — Sapa
Bok media liaison quits