Springbok selectors on Wednesday shot down claims by a South African newspaper quoting coach Jake White that flanker Solly Tyibilika was in the squad only because he was black.
South African rugby issued a strongly worded statement after remarks by White on Monday, quoted in the Cape Town-based daily the Cape Argus, saying transformation was the reason why Tyibilika was playing.
”Springbok convener of selectors Peter Jooste and the Springbok management have refuted claims that White said flank Solly Tyibilika was in the team because of SA Rugby’s transformation programme,” said the statement.
White was quoted at a press conference in New Zealand, where the Springboks are trying to salvage their Tri-Nations campaign after a 49-0 drubbing by Australia last weekend.
White reportedly said he could not include Western province captain Luke Watson in the team ahead of Saturday’s clash against the All Blacks, because ”we need to be honest about the sensitivities of the make-up of the team”.
”We have got a guy like Solly and we need to show that transformation is happening in our country,” White was quoted as saying.
But Springbok management said the coach’s comments were taken out of context.
”It is a misrepresentation of what was said. The journalist concerned opted to take a particular slant on White’s statement. He did not imply that Solly was in the squad to make up the number of black players,” said management spokesperson Vusi Kama.
Selector Jooste added that ”he [White] did not say Watson’s selection would negatively impact SA Rugby’s transformation programme. He said Tyibilika had been with the team over the past two years and had built a strong relationship with him as a player.”
White said Tyibilika ”delivered the goods as a player”, Jooste added.
The latest scrap between Springbok management and the South African media comes at a time where the injury plagued squad is facing a disastrous Tri-Nations season and White’s head is on the block as coach.
Newspapers have called for White’s resignation with just over a year to go to the Rugby World Cup 2007 in France, while rumours have also been circulating about him taking up a lucrative coaching job in Europe.
To add to the beleaguered coach’s woes, he was recently criticised by a parliamentary sports committee for not including enough black players in the team after South Africa’s 36-26 loss to France last month. — AFP
