Transformation is a serious issue in South Africa - in sport and society.
When mense don’t take it seriously, I get bedonnerd.
And that comes from both sides of the argument.
So when I read Cosatu’s statement, claiming that there is a group of white Springbok players trying to sabotage coach Allister Coetzee, I sommer had to say something.
As someone who knows just how much Cosatu leader Tony Ehrenreich knows about rugby, I could not take the claim seriously.
And neither should anyone else.
Looking at the most disappointing Boks in last two Tests, it becomes clear that Cosatu has absolutely no idea what they are talking about.
Captain Adriaan Strauss, Frans Malherbe, Francois Louw, Duane Vermeulen, Damian de Allende and Willie le Roux have all been swak for most of the series.
Centre De Allende came good in the second half of the Boks’ 32-26 win and fullback Le Roux put away debutant Ruan Combrink after a great run. But something is remarkable about that group of players.
Malherbe, Louw, Vermeulen and De Allende are all Coetzee players.
They were all coached by and made their names under Toetie’s tutelage.
So why would they sabotage their own mentor?
They are definitely disappointing him.
But for any one of us to believe that these players, who have repaid his faith in them in many Super Rugby battles, would stab him in the back now that they all part of the Springbok step up?
Ja! We’d all have to be deeply suspicious and paranoid. Like a politician.
But unfortunately, with the players and coach’s history, this claim is just incredible.
Malherbe, Louw, Vermeulen are all part of a core of players Toetie knows well and has gotten the best out of.
Anyone who has followed rugby for a tydjie would know this.
And anyone who supports Western Province and the Stormers will feel just as disappointed by current co-captain Malherbe, former No.6 Flouw and former fan favourite Duane.
Where Cosatu came up with this, I actually don’t want to know.
Kom met ’n regte storie manne.
You guys are doing more harm than good.