Springboks - Merit should be the only criteria, not politics

With the recent turmoil in South African Rugby, Kevin de Goede looks at the issue of quotas and race in the game and how it is affecting one of World Rugby’s most successful international teams.

From many perspectives, South Africa is falling apart at a rapid rate. In terms of Rugby, the once proud nation is beginning to accept that the Springboks may no longer be a major force very soon.

The UK, Europe, Australia boycotted and sanctioned South Africa during the Apartheid era, as non-whites were not allowed to represent national sport teams. Segregation of lifestyle was unacceptable and these boycotts, in part, helped raise awareness and promote change.

Now, however, with race based quotas being introduced, why don’t these same Governments or governing bodies step in and boycott SA sport again? Are these organisations scared they will be dealt the race card?

Quotas are racist to white kids who had nothing to do with Apartheid and unfair to many non-white players who are brilliant enough to represent South Africa. Makaya Ntini, Bryan Habana, Chester Williams and now Kagiso Rabada are just a few of many non-white players that were world class players without quotas.

South African Sport Governing Bodies are now not allowed to bid to host major sport events like ‘The Rugby World Cup’, because they didn’t reach their quota targets. How ridiculous! The Springbok squad’s target for the 2019 World Cup in Japan, is that 50% of the group must be non-white and 60% of that non-white group must be ethnic blacks. How is this allowed by World Rugby and the rest of the world?

The rest of the rugby world is openly benefiting from this, as talented sportsmen and woman are leaving their beloved country. The talent drain has been going on for decades now; and it is becoming an even bigger problem with the introduction of these new quotas.

The weakened Rand can’t compete against the Euro, Pound and Yen. Add in corruption, crime and affirmative action and quotas, 22 years after South Africa’s first democratic election, and you will never install much confidence.

France are openly sending agents to the Craven Week, SA’s premier school boy’s provincial tournament. They are looking to contract 20 of SA’s best schoolboys on an E3500-E4500 (R55 000 –R63 500) salary per month with free accommodation and transport. What talented schoolboy won’t jump at this instead of beating a quota selection policy to play test rugby and making a great living out of it?

The (Spring)buck doesn’t stop there. SA coaches are also leaving the country as they are not willing to be part of a ‘racist based’ selection policy.

Player wise, Brad Barritt, Josh Strauss, Pieter de Villiers, Rory Kockott, Clyde Rathbone to mention a few are/were test players for other nations.

I suggest that SA rugby should ‘privatise’. Let the ANC force their quotas and pick national teams called the Proteas. ‘Privatised’ rugby and cricket organisations can pick purely on merit, players of all colours, and they can be Springboks.

Sport is about money and I’m sure SANZAAR and other sport organisations will understand the advantage of including and competing against competitive South African teams. The amount of viewers and spectators depend largely on a superior product.

Before isolation, the Springboks wining ratio versus the mighty All Blacks showed that they lead by 6 more victories. To this day, The All Blacks still see the Springboks as the ultimate test….but for how much longer?

Black, coloured or white, all are South Africans! Let them play!

Written by Kevin D (AussieBoer) for www.TheRugbyPod.com

SARU Level III and ARU Level II