The appointment of Springbok coach Peter de Villiers was politically motivated and disregarded the wishes of players, the Freedom Front Plus (FF+) said on Wednesday.
FF+ sports spokesperson Werner Weber said the outcome of a poll among players was ”overwhelmingly” in favour of Heyneke Meyer, a former coach of the Pretoria-based Bulls Super 14 franchise.
”The appointment of De Villiers was the result of inappropriate political interference, and should be resisted by rugby players and the public,” said Weber in a statement.
De Villiers was named on Wednesday as the first black coach of the Springboks.
He succeeds Jake White at the helm of the World Cup champions.
Weber said rugby players were the most important component of the game and De Villiers’s appointment disregarded their wishes.
”The disregard for their wishes is nothing but an act of provocation against the South African rugby supporting community,” said Weber.
He said it was significant that South African Rugby Union (Saru) president Oregan Hoskins had acknowledged on television that the decision was not influenced by ”rugby only”.
Equal chance
At a press conference at Saru headquarters in Newlands, Cape Town, on Wednesday, the straight-talking De Villiers said he did not want people to dwell on his colour.
”The fact that I am the first black coach must end now,” he said. ”Players out there must understand they will all stand an equal chance … If they are good enough, talented enough and work hard enough they will be part of the squad.”
Hoskins, who was hauled over the coals when he appeared before a committee of lawmakers last year, acknowledged the desire to broaden the racial base of rugby had been a factor in the appointment.
”I want to be honest with South Africa and say the appointment did not take into account only rugby reasons,” Hoskins told reporters. ”We took into account the issue of transformation in rugby very, very seriously when we made the appointment.”
De Villiers, who has been given an initial two-year contract, made his name as a provincial scrumhalf for Griqualand West and Boland before cutting his teeth as a coach in club rugby in the Cape region.
He led the Under-21 side to the World Championship final last year after winning the title in 2005. He has also coached the Emerging Bok team, winning an IRB tournament held in Romania last year.
Asked why he was wearing a Bulls blazer at Wednesday’s press conference, given his background in the Cape, De Villiers quipped: ”I just wanted to show you I have nothing against anybody.” – Sapa