ANC criticises Meyer
Nov 08,2012
Black players should be selected for the Springboks if they are good enough to play at international level.
That is the word from ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe who said Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer is not doing enough to select more black players.
"The situation is the coaches select the basic minimum black players in the team and relax thereafter and overlook good players," Mantashe said.
"Why do we wait until there are no other players? The attitude is that coaches think this is a white sport and they meet the basic amount of players."
Mantashe, an ardent rugby supporter, said it seemed like Meyer was reluctant to select black players that deserved a place in the side.
"My view is that the new coach is not keen on putting black players in the team, even those that have proven they are the best," he added.
He said there were enough talented black players that Meyer could select on merit alone, and there was something wrong if players such as talented flyhalf Elton Jantjies were relegated to the bench.
Sharks wing Lwazi Mvovo and injured Stormers flanker Siya Kolisi also deserved a spot in the team, according to Mantashe.
Jantjies made his debut for the Springboks in their Rugby Championship match against Australia in Pretoria in October.
He was given an extended run against New Zealand at Soccer City, in their final match of this season's southern hemisphere competition, after he replaced injured fly-half Johan Goosen early in the match.
Jantjies was nevertheless overlooked for this weekend's clash against Ireland for the first match of their end-of-year tour.
In-form Sharks player Pat Lambie will now wear the number 10 jersey while Morne Steyn was selected on the bench.
Mantashe said he believed Meyer had too much confidence in Steyn, with talented youngsters waiting in the wings.
He also believes Meyer could do better by selecting younger players to take his team forward to the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.
Western Province coach Allister Coetzee demonstrated what could be achieved, according to Mantashe, when faith was placed in younger players.
"Look at the Western Province team that won the Currie Cup," he said.
"He (Coetzee) showed faith and confidence in young players and they delivered. The national coach must do the same."
Meyer would help the country if he gave these players an opportunity to play for the Springboks.
Comments (5)
Nov 08, 2012 at 14:17:46
Even if all 15 players were black they would complain about something else.
Examples:
not enough black coaches.
the jerseys/shorts/socks should be blacker
all boots must be black
rugby ball must be black
SA rugby never will be able to satisfy all their demands.
Nov 08, 2012 at 17:14:08
The grass should be black.
Rugby should only be played at night.
All white players should paint themselves black for games.
They should all wear black mouth piece and and and....uhhhhhhh and Loose like Bafana
Nov 08, 2012 at 21:57:50
Mantashe, your'e a muppet. Rugby viewed as a white sport? Not at all but at the moment, some of our best players in key positions just happen to be white. Jantjies has proven he is nowhere near that of Lambie at test level and Morne is also leagues above him. Jantjies should have played second fiddle to Butch James at the Lions if not for the age factor!
Both our wings are non-whites (they would be JP and Bryan) and our fullback is non white. People like this muppet just make it very clear that results mean nothing.
Here is something to ponder, why does our rugby team have to have blacks yet our soccer team doesnt. So many white players give up on soccer because they dont have a shoe in with higher honours yet we lose every game. Last SA team to win anything was back in 1996 when it was loaded with white players and a white coach. Lets not worry about rugby right now you greedy pricks. Sort your soccer out!
Nov 08, 2012 at 22:31:24
This the same ANC that don't have a clue how to run the country,, fuck what a joke
Nov 08, 2012 at 14:14:49
hear hear. now let the mud fight start