HEYNEKE MEYER MUST TRANSFORM SA RUGBY OR FACE REMOVAL

13 August 2015

The Higher Education Transformation Network (HETN) acting on behalf of its alumni members is extremely disturbed by the racist attitude from Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer. HETN notes that Meyer is reluctant to succumb to the needs of the democratic dispensation by refusing to include more black players in the SA Rugby team. We want to give Meyer an ultimatum to transform SA Rugby or face removal.

The argument of merit has long surpassed the expiry date. HETN is fully aware that Meyer is trying to hide behind ‘merit’ in order to exclude capable black players. We want to reaffirm the statement by COSATU that the lack of black players in SA Rugby has reached a crisis. South Africans cannot be expected to support an all-white Rugby team. We want to remind Meyer that SA Rugby is not a private team of his which he can control whenever he wants. We want to see more and more black players in the SA Rugby squad.

Apartheid, which was declared a crime against humanity, thrived on its key tenant of racism. We are stunned by the silence of structures like Sport Against Crime. It cannot be correct that certain positions within the SA Rugby team are still maintained for white players only.

HETN rejects the assertions that there are players who support Meyer in his quest to delay transformation. Only racists can support the SA Rugby team in its current form.

Statement issued by Lucky Thekisho, Chairperson of the HETN board, August 13 2015