The South African Rugby Football Union (Sarfu) has distanced itself from media reports that a senior Sarfu official intervened during the selection process of the national under-21 squad for the forthcoming World Cup tournament in Scotland, it said in a statement.
The tournament takes place from June 11 to 27 this year.
According to the statement, Sarfu president Brian van Rooyen approved the team that was submitted to him after the selectors had met early on Wednesday afternoon. He is satisfied that the South African under-21 squad represents the diverse cultures of our very proud rugby nation.
Sarfu is committed to transformation and will do everything to ensure that rugby contributes to the process of making South Africa a winning nation, said the statement.
”It seems, however, that certain people’s interest in rugby is dedicated only to one purpose, and that is to create disharmony and cause division. Sarfu denounces these attempts in the strongest possible terms,” it read.
”It is clear that certain people want to create racial hatred amongst coloured people and Africans. Sarfu rejects this in the strongest possible term,” said Van Rooyen.
”Sarfu is satisfied with the team and convinced that the young men chosen for this great challenge will do the country proud. All of us should wish them the best of luck and give them our unreserved support.”
The South African under-21 team will be captained by Sharks flanker Luke Watson and boasts no less than five players who have played Super 12 rugby this season. The selectors also called upon the services of Blue Bulls flyhalf Derick Hougaard, a member of last year’s Springbok World Cup squad. — Sapa
The full squad in alphabetical order: Andries Bekker (WP), Simon Blakely (WP), Ashton Constand (WP), Hennie Daniller (Blue Bulls), Marius Delport (Blue Bulls), Paul Delport (WP), Schalk Ferreira (WP), Adriaan Fondse (Blue Bulls), Brian Habana (Golden Lions), Derick Hougaard (Blue Bulls), Derick Kuun (Blue Bulls), Justin Melck (WP), Petros Methula (Natal), Cliff Milton (Blue Bulls), Wouter Moore (Natal), Sangoni Mxoli (Natal), Trompie Nontshinga (Free State), Luvo Shogidashe (Blue Bulls), Wynand Olivier (Blue Bulls), Ruan Pienaar (Free State), Jeremy Plaatjies (SWD), Franco van der Merwe (Leopards), Pellow van der Westhuizen (Leopards), Earl Rose (WP), Luke Watson (Natal, captain), Andries Strauss (Free State).
Management team: Peter de Villiers (coach), Ian Swartz (manager), Dumisane Mhani (asst. coach), Ashley Evert (asst. coach), Charles Wessels (logistics manager), Jason Suter (doctor), Hamilton Pharaoh (physio), Neels Liebel (conditioning coach), Neil de Beer (kit master).