SARU's big black target

 

SARU have been working on this document since late 2012 in a bid to achieve a viable strategy for transformation in the sport.

 

It includes plans to bring all of South Africa's representative rugby teams, along with domestic teams in line with national targets in five years.

 

The targets call firstly for a 50 percent representation in the Springboks of players of colour, with 60 percent of those players being black Africans.

 

Furthermore, there is a target set for Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer to select at least five black players for his World Cup squad next year.

 

SARU have made it clear however that these are targets and not quotas. Nowhere in the document is the word quota mentioned.

 

“SARU began this process in November 2012 with a Transformation Indaba at which all members were present," SARU said in a statement.

 

"Many months have subsequently been spent in an exhaustive series of audits and workshops with all members over a Strategic Transformation Plan. 

 

"It has been a comprehensive and positive process to address a critical business and socio-economic risk facing rugby – one that to ignore would put the sport at peril.

 

There has been approval of the plan down to the provincial union's level with all 14 members onboard, but some voicing concerns.

 

“The SARU Strategic Transformation Plan was approved in principle by all 14 member unions on August 13,"

 

"Four provinces expressed concerns over the cost of implementing the proposals or whether the targets should be measured only nationally or at a province-by-province level.

 

"However, none of them opposed the document in principle. 

 

SARU have also put forward their plan to the government departments concerned with sports and transformation in order to begin its implementation.

 

“It has been shared with both SASCOC and the Department of Sport and Recreation. The next step in its development is to return to the General Council for final sign off," Green said.

 

"Only once that process is complete will SARU be able to formally share its contents with all stakeholders.”