Calls for rugby boycott shows how fed-up the public has become of political interference

14 June 2016

Given the retrogression of South Africa’s rugby with recent record lows, like the defeat against Japan and a 14-man Irish team, government should take note of the public’s growing discontent with political interference in sport, Adv. Anton Alberts, the FF Plus’s parliamentary spokesperson on sport, says.

Adv. Alberts says the calls of a former Springbok, Ockie Oosthuizen, that test games should be boycotted, is a reflection of the public’s feelings over the destructive interference of the ANC government in sport.

According to Adv. Alberts, it is inevitable that this political interference will have a big influence on the attitude and confidence of especially coloured players.

“This action of government to transform sport at all cost will ironically have the opposite effect as players of colour will be thoroughly aware of the quota issue that hangs over each player’s head, especially after a poor performance like this past weekend’s performance against Ireland.

“It is very unfair toward the players of colour who are in the team based on their merit and offers a good performance for the country.

 “The ANC and its minister of sport, Fikile Mbalula, should take note of the recent pressure that ratings agencies have recently placed on the government because of the economy. The world is increasingly becoming aware of the fading rainbow dream and the abuses of the ANC government.

 “This pressure of foreign institutions on our government should be consistently maintained. The FF Plus is doing everything it can and regularly keeps the International Rugby Board and governments with which South Africa has sporting ties updated on developments.

“The FF Plus had amongst others, in August last year written a letter to the British High Commissioner in Pretoria in which it asked that the commissioner informs the British rugby unions and the British government of the ANC’s interference in sport in South Africa.

“The pressure on the best rugby test countries to boycott South Africa will inevitably increase if the perception that they are competing against weakened quota teams, grows. The damage will, however, be so big that it could take years to repair.

“In the recent budget debate on sport in parliament, I told minister Mbalula that he will destroy it if he continues in this vain. I hope the situation changes soon, before this prediction comes true,” Adv. Alberts said.

Issued by Anton Alberts, FF Plus parliamentary spokesperson: Sport, 14 June 2016