COSATU's phantom Boks

The Congress of South African Trade Unions continue to fire political spitballs over what they claim are racist selections, but the South African Rugby Players' Association has denied they that have been approached by 'unhappy' players.

COSATU has not been holding back, going at the Springbok management all guns blazing – in the wake of the Boks' 25-37 loss to Argentina at the weekend.

In their latest vitriolic salvo the trade union used terms like "white mafia" and "a white version of rugby", even going as far as accusing Victor Matfield of only being in the team because he lost money in a business venture.

Their claim that five players in the current Bok squad – including two 'white' players – approached them to complain about the 'racist selections' also raised eyebrows.

While most of their statements can be put down to opportunistic politicking, the suggestion the players in the squad are complaining is certainly deserving of further investigation.

It has been questioned if these players actually exist or if they are just 'phantom figures' in an opportune moment to score political points.

Nyaniso Sam, a SARPA spokesman, said "no players" have approached them to complain about transformation or any other issues in the team.

SARPA and MyPlayers, the players' own union, have representation on the South African Rugby Union board – in the form of Louis von Zeuner, who is the players union's Chairman.

"If our players have any complaints about any issues, this [SARPA/MyPlayers] is the organisation for them to come to – we are, after all, their union," Sam told rugby365.

Sam said they will wait for COSATU to come forward with the names of the alleged players who apparently approached the trade union.

The players' union has had numerous "engagements" with SARU regarding their strategic transformation plan and, according to Sam, will continue to engage the national body in this regard.

At a SARPA executive committee meeting in April this year – attended by a large number and well-represented group of players – a large part of the union's agenda was dedicated to transformation.

Sam confirmed that a "comprehensive presentation" was made by SARU to players on this matter.

"This initiated constructive interaction and ultimately an understanding of SARU's plans going forward by our members," the SARPA spokesman told rugby365.

He again reiterated that they have not been approached by any of their members on the matter to transformation matters.

Despite the questions about the identity of the 'phantom' players, COSATU remained adamant that they have indeed been approached by both black and white players about their concern over the lack of transformation and fair play in SARU.

"The players who approached COSATU includes those not included in the squad and those unhappy about developments in the provincial teams," COSATU said in a statement attributed to Western Cape COSATU provincial secretary Tony Ehrenreich.

In another statement COSATU said SARU owes the public an answer and called in the minister of sport Fikile Mbalula to intervene.

The COSATU statement (in full and unedited):

"The racism in the SARU camp have led to an increased outcry across the Country as the sports loving people examine the conduct of the Coach Heyneke Meyer.

"Rugby players – both black and white – have approached COSATU Western Cape given their concern about the lack of transformation in SA Rugby, because they were not well represented by the Players association that is embedded in SARU.

"This whole Rugby establishment is now asking us to give the names of the people who came to COSATU, yet if we look at the way in which SARU has treated Pieter De Villiers, we know how ruthless they can be with those who differ with them.

"The team on Saturday was a white team and they lost to the Argentineans, as the first time in South African history. The fact that transformation has been badly neglected by the SARU leadership is evident by the state of rugby in South Africa. The transformation situation became a crisis this Saturday when only 2 black SA players were included in the springbok side. As the majority of South Africans, we would rather lose with a representative team and not a team chosen by the white mafia of Rugby, which excludes form black players.

"SARU tries to promote the narrative that a transformed team is a weak team, but this coming Saturday we want to see a more transformed team who will no doubt perform better that the all-white team, if they pick the right form black players. At this stage of the history of SA rugby a transformed team is a better team than just the old white guard of Heyneke's favourites.

"A number of crazy decisions included the exclusion of Mahogo and the replacement of Mvovo with 2 minutes left in the game.

"The Springboks actually played better when more black players got onto the park on Saturday. Jessie Kriel played a lousy game after having been moved around to get a spot on the field, in place of specialist wings in much better form. Victor Matfield has been brought into the team after he lost money in a business venture and the rugby mafia created a position for him in the SARU clan. Andre Pollard played a shocker and Lambie replaced him, with no regard for a form player like Elton Jantjies. The Captain Jean De Villiers should have to play himself into the team, yet he gets a free pass into the team, in place of many other form players. This is unheard of elsewhere in Rugby circles.

"The Minister of Sport should intervene in Rugby and launch an investigation into the developments in SARU. The agreement to have the right to sign off on the rugby team before the Rugby World Cup is not enough, the general public wants to see real transformation. Jurie Roux had his contract extended whilst facing serious charges for financial mismanagement.

"Heyneke Meyer is having his contract extended now, before the world Cup and having a lousy reputation if the last few games are to go by. We don't know how Heyneke is going to perform in the World Cup and yet we guarantee him 4 more years, when he has built very little of his own players for the team. There are real tensions in the dressing room that needs to be addressed, to ensure that a real team spirit emerges.

"The influence of the Stellenbosch Mafia must be investigated in SARU, as Johann Rupert is building himself an empire in rugby South Africa. SARU should not be his personal fiefdom to manipulate as he chooses, as we need a credible rugby organisation. Mallet never criticises Heyneke, because they are all part of the old boys club that want to maintain control of a white version of rugby.

"The Chair of SARU is having his term of office extended because he is not putting pressure on SARU to transform more speedily.

"How the chair could allow SARU to celebrate a rugby tour by Argentina in the 1960 is a serious question, given its sanctions busting role. It would seem that the white history of Rugby is all that matters in South Africa, with brave struggles against racism side-lined.

"The way in which the unity of Rugby has unfolded has seen the virtual collapse of black rugby in the Townships, with very little funding to support development.

"The leadership of SARU has promoted very little real development or real transformation, as they have been assimilated into the elite world of SARU rugby leadership, with its perks and prestige. The rugby establishment must remember that Rugby is the sport of South Africa, not the sport of some group in South Africa.

"The Springboks belong to all of us South Africans.

"The protest have already started around the Country with people burning the Springbok shirts. This protest will get worse as the Government allows the old rugby mafia to control a National sports for their own interest.

"The Minister and the Parliamentary Committee must step in and help to address the problems before the World Cup, failing which they will see more protest from the public against this sham in SARU.

"The players are also workers and the discrimination that is taking place in respect of the treatment of white and black players is racist and disgraceful. The salaries and contracts are different and the benefits still go to the old white players first.

"COSATU will be taking this up as the old association is rooted in the white players and protects their interest first."