The Transformation and Anti-Racism Rugby Committee (TARC) has noted the ongoing debate around the lack of transformation in rugby having consistently raised this concern since 2006.  The views expressed by people across the country point quite clearly to a growing frustration with regards to a failed transformation plan as we are now 21 years into our democracy.  

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has quite rightfully entered the debate and raised the concerns of both players and the general public who have deep reservations in the ability and the desire of the South African Rugby Union (SARU) to transform itself.  What is clear is that we should not be talking about transformation in rugby in 2015 as it should have already been dealt with a while ago.  The spot light remains on the field of play at the highest level but we must look behind the curtains and at all levels to realize that the coaching staff, support staff and the board rooms of rugby remain unashamedly untransformed as well.  

SARU boldly stated that winning the Rugby World Cup (RWC) would benefit the development of rugby in the historically disadvantaged areas in 1995.  We were fed that lie in 1995, and the nation backed the national team in a show of unity.  We were again told the same lie in 2007 that winning the RWC would benefit the masses and promote the development of black players and coaches.  On both occasions, however, the benefit was reserved for the privileged few, the racist minority who consider rugby as their own.  Why has there not been any development spin offs for black rugby from the victories in either World Cup’s?  

The ongoing debate also raises the question of leadership.  While the country and its people debate the issue, the SARU have remained silent, withdrawn from the discussion.  There is no attempt to address the concerns of the public at all.  It is an arrogance that in itself speaks volumes about the running of rugby in this country.  There is no clear plan or process to address the issues raised.  The leadership from the Minister of Sport has not been any better either, choosing to tweet the odd comment while the racist agenda of the SARU clearly unfolds in front of us.  

Heyneke Meyer has made the claim that he does not see colour, yet with the same breath says he is committed to transformation.  Meyer is seen as a racist coach who has made selections based on race at every opportunity, looking to bring retired players back into the fold or purporting to tell us of his immense ability at spotting talent and providing opportunities for this talent that he has identified.  Yet every single player of talent that he has earmarked with talent is white.  He seems committed to maintaining the influence of a racist group that he clearly reports to.  Meyer is naïve to believe that black players would be happy to warm the benchers and carry the tog bags like was the case in the past; he was clearly ill advised that the nation would accept this.  Public sentiment has turned.  

Black South Africans as the majority would like to know how this team represents them, what processes have been implemented to include them in the playing and running of rugby in SA?  How can a coach who has always defaulted to his white players claim to represent all of SA?  How is it that this coach remains protected by the federation and its white unions who seem to long for an all-White era?  How is it that every opportunity to celebrate the racist past is amplified by SARU and its so called legends?  Whether it is this tour to Argentina or the celebration of 100 years since Paul Roos, a well-known and documented racist it has become clear that the celebration of white rugby history has deliberately been done at the expense of black rugby history.  The story of black rugby has been consistently been eroded and erased as if it never occurred to be replaced by a sterilized version of white rugby history that is gradually being legitimized.  

The inclusion of a few players of colour in the final warm up game this Saturday against Argentina smacks of a lack of a cohesive plan in building a team, it is an inclusion that is purely reactive and should be condemned as no less than sabotage of the transformation agenda.  The careers of Lwazi Mvovo and Zane Kirchner amongst others are being thrown irresponsibly in to the mix, while white players are being given a plan that is spread over many games and opportunities.   

The most successful Super Rugby team in 2015 was coached by a black coach and had the highest representation of black players. It is clear that under a racist white coach along with his self chosen white supporting staff opportunities for black players will not be a priority.   

Dr Asad Bhorat
Secretary of TARC