daniel chigunwe
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander has slammed the South African government as a “disgrace” and an “embarrassment” with a flag and anthem ban looming for the Springboks.
There is a possibility that the defending Rugby World Cup champions will front up against tournament hosts, France, in the quarter-finals of the competition, playing under a neutral flag with no anthem.
Government fails Boks
This comes after South Africa failed to adhere to WADA’s (World Anti-Doping Agency) compliance and anti-doping regulations.
Government is set to miss the Friday deadline to update its anti-doping legislation, with lawmakers still debating the regulation changes demanded.
Meanwhile, Alexander did not mince his words when he addressed the situation with South African media.
“We have this problem because our government failed to have new legislation promulgated,” he said.
“It is a disgrace. It is an embarrassment for our country. They were issued notice well in advance.
“This is not a debatable thing. You cannot change things. You just have to put it in your legislation.
“We are supposed to conform to WADA requirements.
“We failed to change our legislation to include the changes. Heads should roll.”
There is some hope with a sports ministry official telling AFP that one of the options is to appeal “to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland”.
They added: “There is no way we will be in a situation where our teams will not play under the South African flag.”
The flag and anthem ban will also apply to South Africa’s Proteas, who are currently participating in the Cricket World Cup in India.
Wiese previews France clash
Meanwhile, Bok forward Jasper Wiese said the pressure of playing for South Africa in a quarter-final of the World Cup is a privilege.
“We talk about pressure, but it’s a privilege to have the pressure that we’re under,” he told reporters in France.
“You feel pressure your whole life in South Africa as well.
“It’s difficult back there, but it’s a privilege to represent 60 million people and to represent 33 guys and the management here to make them proud and just to enjoy it and leave everything out on the field.
“There’s definitely a bit of pressure, but we enjoy it.” — planetrugby.com
Bongani Ndlovu