Boks coach Meyer rubbishes ‘racist’ claims

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. “That’s my sceptical response and I’d be prepared to receive facts that contradict that position”, said Carlin, who also added that Cosatu is a serious organisation, whose views should not be dismissed out of hand.

A Saru spokesman said: “Saru recently signed an MOU [Memorandum of Understanding] with the government and Sascoc on a strategic transformation plan for rugby”.

Argentina have made seven changes to the team that humiliated South Africa last weekend for a Test rematch in Buenos Aires Saturday. “We stand by you, we know exactly where we stand”, Meyer told reporters on Wednesday.

Two black players, Zimbabwe-born prop Tendai Mtwarira and experienced wing Bryan Habana, were included in coach Heyneke Meyer’s starting XV against The Pumas.

On the replacements bench for Argentina the Trevor Nyakane, Siya Kolisi and Lwazi Mvovo were the only non white players which brings the total to five non white players in the current team instead of the required seven. “I’m there for them”.

The Springboks came last in the Rugby Championship and have suffered four straight defeats and used mainly white players which does not fall in line with the Transformation Plan.

“A lot of the players came out and supported us. you’re always going to get players that are unhappy if they don’t play”, he said.

Hourcade justified changing a team that achieved the Pumas’ greatest victory since they overcame hosts France to finish third at the 2007 Rugby World Cup. When I took the job I said it’s not about me, this job is bigger than the individual.

“The most important thing for me is to keep my integrity. I don’t know of anyone that could have done something like that”.

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

While it does not reflect the population dynamics of our very “complicated” country with its bleak past, one has to concede that of all our sporting codes, rugby has arguably been the sport which has served to unite a nation more than any other.