RESPONSE TO ANTHEM COMPLAINTS

The South African Rugby Union (SARU) has received a communication from the French Rugby Union (FFR) in response to letters from SARU regarding the performance of the South African National Anthem before Friday's Test match in Toulouse.

In it, Mr Pierre Camou, the president of the FFR offers his Union's sincere apologies to the South African Rugby Union and shares SARU's shock at what he also describes as a "debacle", of which his union was also a victim, he said.

Mr Camou explained that the artist had rehearsed before the event and that all had gone smoothly.

"The French Union have offered their unreserved apologies and I have accepted them on behalf of SARU," said Mr Oregan Hoskins, president of the South African Rugby Union.

"I am still at a loss to understand how this artist was allowed to be in a position to deliver such an appalling rendition of our cherished anthem - something that would never be allowed to happen in this country.

"But I obviously accept that there was no deliberate intent by the FFR to sabotage the anthem and, as much as the performance still rankles, we regard the matter as now closed."

Statement issued by SARU, November 17 2009

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