South Africa head coach Heyneke Meyer dismisses allegations of racist

South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer says his team is behind him, despite accusations he is not picking enough black players.

Reports in South Africa earlier this week said five black players had gone to the Congress of South African Trade Unions expressing their frustrations over team selections.

The Pumas, who made sure the Boks picked up the tournament’s wooden spoon by recording their first ever win in 20 encounters, are expecting a backlash in a World Cup warmup arranged to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Argentina’s maiden tour, to Africa in 1965.

This came a day after the union federation revealed that five black Springbok players had approached it alleging they were being left out of the starting lineup by Meyer due to their skin colour.

Now suddenly after a stinging 37-25 humbling by Los Pumas, the enlarged touring squad for the return match in Buenos Aires on Saturday features eight players of colour, of which three will be nothing more than tackle bag carriers and water boys.

The issue has grabbed headlines around the world with the BBC covering the story as momentum builds towards the World Cup. “I’m there for them”.

The SA Rugby Players’ Association said it was unaware of the issues raised by the unnamed black players. “You’re always going to get players that are unhappy if they don’t play”, he is quoted as saying by espn.co.uk.

The controlling body for the second-biggest sport in the country even went so far as to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with Government and SASCOC on a strategic transformation plan for rugby.

“Whatever happens with all of these Cosatu things, I put it aside and do what I need to do for the weekend”. I know there is a lot of criticism.

“There is a lot of negativity and I understand that, but like I said from the start, I’m going to keep my integrity and that’s more important to me than just winning”.

Peter de Villiers, the first non-white head coach of the Springboks and the man Meyer replaced, was critical of the current selection process.

Carlin also charted the history of race and ethnicity in South African rugby which you can listen to in full via the podcast.