‘Blacks must be given more chances’

Saru president Oregan Hoskins has told Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer to pick more black players.

Hoskins told Beeld newspaper that he had personally delivered the message to Meyer.

'We need to give black players, specifically African blacks, more chances in the team,' said Hoskins. 'I spoke to the coach and he agreed, the time is right for this. I believe we will already see a change or two against Scotland this coming weekend.'

Meanwhile, civil rights organisation AfriForum says a legal team is preparing to submit an official complaint to the International Rugby Board.

'Saru's instruction to the Springbok coach is a crude form of racial discrimination and an indication that Saru has surrendered to the quota threats of the minister of sport, Fikile Mbalula,' AfriForum chief executive Kallie Kriel said in a statement.

'A racial quota system disadvantages all talented players of all races. White players are disadvantaged because they are excluded from participation based on their race and the validity of the inclusion of black players in teams is by default suspect.'

AfriForum's complaint is based on bylaw 3 of the IRB rules and regulations, which compels the IRB to prevent any form of racial discrimination in rugby. Regulation 20 determines that any action in rugby which entails racial discrimination amounts to 'misconduct'.

The IRB may institute disciplinary steps against any rugby body that violates these rules.

Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

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