COSATU WC congratulates Springboks on their victory

16 August 2015

COSATU Western Cape congratulates the Springboks on the victory against Argentina. This victory is not only a Springbok victory, but it is also a victory for transformation in SA Rugby. It clearly show us - with this victory - that a mixed team is better.

The point that also emerged in this whole SARU fiasco is that we do not have a commitment to development and transformation in Rugby. The Coach still thinks he can do as he pleases with no regard for the in-form black players.

The coach should go, to make way for someone who is more committed to the values of SA. His choices clearly reflect a commitment to the rugby mafia and not to the players and rugby supporters.

This is a National sport, not some club in Benoni, so it should consider National interest.

This latest team was imposed on the coach by Cosatu who insisted that the best payers be put in the team, instead of reserving positions for certain players like Jean Devilliers.

The attempt to create a narrative that says a transformed team is a weaker team, was always rejected by the fact that the transformed team performed better than the mainly white team, and the whole country was behind the team.

Cosatu will be continuing to act in the interest of the country and the nation by insisting on transformation. We want the boardroom to reflect the ambitions of all SA. Clearly the boardroom had changed the blacks, instead of the blacks changing the SARU boardroom.

We have a great example in Stormers rugby that must be followed by the entire rugby establishment. We must also insist that real funding be given to development in black schools and township teams.

Statement issued by Tony Ehrenreich, COSATU Western Cape Provincial Secretary, August 16 2015