Black Springbok Breyton Paulse was reinstated in the national rugby team to play England on Saturday only after the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) protested, the league said on Wednesday.
”I phoned [South African Rugby Football Union president] Brian van Rooyen and complained about this lily-white squad,” said ANCYL spokesperson Zizi Kodwa.
Earlier in the day, it was reported that Paulse had been sacked, leaving the Boks with only one black player, Eddie Andrews, in the probable starting line-up.
Kodwa further complained that ”so many black players are on the bench” and would not be in the 15-man team.
”Why are they not on the field?” he asked.
The Independent Group’s website Iol.co.za reported that the first reaction came on Wednesday from Denver Hendricks, Director General of Sport and Recreation.
”We do not get involved in the internal affairs of team selection, but we will have concerns about the lack of representivity in the Springbok team,” Hendricks said.
”We would like to believe the coach is picking the best side on merit. But we also believe there are sufficiently talented black players who can make that side.”
Neither Van Rooyen nor his deputy, Andre Markgraaff, could be reached for comment on Wednesday afternoon. — Sapa
One change to Bok team