England’s Billy Vunipola says he refused to kneel in support of the Black Lives Matter movement when the Premiership resumed last week as some elements of the anti-racism protests did not align with his religious beliefs.
All 12 Premiership clubs decided on different gestures to show their support for anti-racism on their return to action.
While the majority of Saracens’ players knelt before their 16-12 defeat by Bristol Bears on Saturday, Vunipola, a devout Christian, remained standing.
He explains: “What I saw in terms of that movement was not aligned with what I believe in.
“They were burning churches and Bibles. I can’t support that.
“Even though I am a person of colour, I’m still more a person of, I guess, Jesus.”
Closer to home, eight Sale Sharks players including Springboks Faf de Klerk and Lood de Jager also didn’t kneel before their match against Harlequins, prompting sports minister Nathi Mthethwa to instruct SA Rugby to investigate the issue.