Equality or Stupidity?

South Africa have been a dominant force in Rugby Union over the last 15 years, but recent events have soured not only my opinion on South African Rugby, but I fear that future success will be limited.

Following the World Cup success in France against England, Coach Jake White was replaced by Peter De Villiers. Plans were implemented prior to the World Cup to have "Black Quota" which would come in to force following White's departure. This quota states that the South African starting line-up must consist of 25% black players. This angered me. I understand that there is a lack of black players participating in Rugby Union, but that is not down to racism, but ability.

In the recent Tri Nations match against New Zealand (to which they lost 19-8) South Africa included 7 black players: Bryan Habana, Conrad Jantjes, Odwa Ndungane, Ricky Januarie, Gurthro Steenkamp, Brian Mujati and Bolla Conradie. This meant that full back Percy Montgomery who has amassed nearly 900 points for South Africa was left rotting away on the bench. Not only this, but Francois Steyn a scorer of 52 points in 18 tests took his place on the substitutes bench. For someone who is regarded so high in World Rugby (kicked winning penalty in World Cup Final) to be left out of the starting line-up is bewildering.

Although I believe that the opportunities available to blacks in Rugby Union, I do not believe in the South Africa's stance on this quota. Whether it is political pressure or so called racial discrimination, players should be picked on merit not colour. If a black player is better than a white player, then I see no reason why they should not be in the starting team. But a quota that stipulates such a high percentage, is likely to worsen the South African game and their high standing in the sport.

Imagine if this happened in football. "Christiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic have been dropped due to the black quota that has been put in place." This would cause outroar within the public. Taking your best players out and replacing them with players of lower quality. It would be pure idiocy!

It is a situation that South Africa must sort out in order to continue their tradition of fluid, exciting and successful rugby. If this measure stays in place, I can only see South Africa "passing like a ship in the night."

* South Africa Rugby have also stated that "each of the four South African Super 12 squads must contain at least eight black players this season." *