Revoke quota decision or face boycott of Vodacom Cup, says AfriForum

The civil rights organisation AfriForum today sent a letter to the South African Rugby Union and the 14 provincial rugby unions, asking SARU to revoke its decision to implement race quotas in the Vodacom Cup. Should SARU stand by its decision, AfriForum will boycott next year's Vodacom Cup series.

According to Kallie Kriel, CEO of AfriForum, SARU has elected to support the ANC's racially divisive ideology with this move and has turned its back on young rugby players and regular supporters of the game who pay to attend Vodacom Cup matches.

Kriel pointed out that AfriForum was all for rugby development and will support it wholeheartedly if it affords everyone the opportunity to participate in the sport. "A quota system based on race will not develop new players, because institutions and provinces merely import black players, who are already playing the game, in order to comply with quota requirements. Rugby unions should focus on development programmes, instead of racially discriminating against certain players by means of a quota system," Kriel said.

Kriel argues that a quota system disadvantages black players just as much as their white peers because the validity of their inclusion in the teams is always questioned. Instead of playing the numbers game, SARU should actually rectify its failure to develop young black talent at school level.

According to Kriel it is important that paying rugby supporters take a stand. "Silent acceptance of the race quotas imposed by SARU in the Vodacom Cup will inevitably lead to similar racial manipulation in the Super Rugby and Currie Cup series," Kriel added.

Kriel applied to SARU to set aside the ANC's race politics and act in the interests of rugby, all players and supporters.

Statement issued by Kallie Kriel, CEO: AfriForum, August 15 2013

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