YCLSA elated at SARU's 50% plan

The Young Communist League of South Africa [uFasimba] is elated that the South African Rugby Union [SARU] is planning on ensuring that by 2019 half the Springboks team is made up of players of colour.

Of the Springbok team currently competing in the Rugby Championship, 19% of the players are non-white, while only 12% are black Africa. SARU wants to make sure that by 2019 at least half the Springbok side consists of players of colour, with 60% of those required to be black African (see Cape Times report).

It is reported in yesterday's [Sunday September 7, 2014] edition of Rapport that SARU's Transformations Strategic Plan aims to bring all South Africa's representative rugby teams, along with domestic teams in line with national targets in five years.

The YCLSA welcomes this move and strongly believe will go a long way in ensuring that players of colour partake in the sport. Twenty years into our nascent democracy we can't still have sporting codes that are still only played by a certain races.

We call on SARU and other stakeholders including schools to ensure that rugby is introduced both in Primary and High schools in the townships and rural areas as well. Players need to be developed at a tender age and be given proper training in the sport. For transformation to thrive it must be complimented with player's development.

Statement issued by by the YCLSA Head Office, September 8 2014

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