Instead of trying to impose racial quotas on rugby, the government should be looking at ways of nurturing young black talent for the sport, Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Helen Zille said on Friday.
In her party’s weekly newsletter, SA Today, issued the day before South Africa take on England in the rugby World Cup final in Paris, she said the Springboks’ prowess in the international competition confirmed what should be self-evident.
”Sporting prowess depends on allowing the best practitioners the space and opportunity to manage the affairs of the sport.”
Zille said many were looking to South Africa’s sportsmen to boost the national morale.
”However, sport will not be able to make this contribution if the government insists on interfering in its management and policy. Sport in South Africa has always been politicised — to its detriment.
”Consequently, it was disturbing to read that Springbok coach Jake White believes that [Saturday’s] side will be the last to be picked on merit.
”White contended in the British Guardian that ‘a huge unspoken motivation’ among the Boks to win is that, in future, ‘massive political pressure is going to be exerted to pick a Springbok side based more on colour than on merit’.”
Given the African National Congress track record of interference in the affairs of national sports teams, his remarks were hardly surprising, she said.
Zille said the state needed to confine itself to a ”facilitative role”, one that provided real opportunities for young players to rise through the ranks.
”Instead of imposing race quotas [in rugby], the government should be nurturing young black talent by creating opportunities through bursaries, talent-scouting and better training and facilities.
”If racism stills exist at any level of the sport, it must be rooted out and offenders summarily replaced.”
Zille wished the Springboks the best of luck for the final, and said she was confident the team would bring the cup home. — Sapa