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'Rassie has been treating the black Springbok players as second-class' - trade union attacks Springbok coach
By Online Editors
Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has been heavily criticised by a trade union body in South Africa over "second-class" treatment of black players.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) launched an astonishing attack on Erasmus over his "discriminatory attitude and actions".
"Rassie has been treating the black Springbok players as second-class this entire year. His starting line-up for Saturday is a reversal to white preference players‚ which exposes his attitude towards black players", it said in a statement.
There are three black players in the starting XV to face the All Blacks in Wellington on Saturday, including captain Siya Kolisi, while Lukhanyo Am and Aphiwe Dyantyi have also been picked. On the bench there are four black players - hooker Bongi Mbonambi, who was controversially substituted in the first half against Australia, prop Tendai Mtawarira, dropped fly half Elton Jantjies and winger/full-back Cheslin Kolbe.
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That substitution of Mbonambi against Australia, which came in the aftermath of an overthrown lineout that led to Wallabies scoring a try, has also been criticised.
"The white players are given special places in the Springbok team ahead of the form black players. Francois Louw has been playing poorly, Handre Pollard has been playing poorly, and Willie le Roux has been playing poorly. Scrumhalf Faf de Klerk has been playing poorly, yet they are not substituted when there are talented form players on the bench. Mbonambi is substituted on 35 minutes which is entirely irrational and designed to undermine him. Many black players when they do get a chance on the field are played out of their positions, to deny them the prospect to bring their best skills.”
Erasmus has already stated he could be sacked as head coach if they don't beat the All Blacks, which would be their third defeat in a row. And Cosatu believes the former Munster Director of Rugby should be removed.
“Rassie clearly cannot do both the jobs but wants to keep the director of rugby position in case he fails as the coach. He has been erratic in his choices and his game plan, refusing to take responsibility for not giving players and combinations a decent chance to build partnerships.
"Cosatu is raising this concern with SARU before it gets worse and embarrasses the whole country so that decisive action can be taken. Whilst Cosatu would encourage South Africans to support the Springboks, Rassie is pushing black South Africans away from the team with his discriminatory attitude and actions."
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Latest Comments
I didn't mean to sound down on Dmac. Just looking hard at the bench sub's role of providing impact. I don't think he can do that at 15, and the bench is not really about injury cover anymore (you need to maximise it's use more than that).
He's my first choice of any New Zealander for the 10 jersey with the All Blacks.
Go to commentsAgreed. And I don't have much more to say on it, but I had been having one thought that sprang to mind at the tail of this discussion, and that is that it's not all about Razor.
It's not about any coach being "right". I think a lot of selections can become defense and while it doesn't really apply here I really enjoyed that Andy Farrell just gave into the public demands and changed out his team for the change that had been asked for. Like why not? This is the countries team, keep them engaged. The whole reason i've only just finished watching the game was because I wasn't interested in watching any of the selected players against a team like Italy (still actually enjoyed the first half with the contest Italy made of it).
Faz leap frogs a younger half back into start. He hands the golden child the game over July's golden child. He gives an old winger a go, a new flanker and hooker. None of them really did any good, certainly not enough to suggest they should have been promoted above others, but who cares? You won, and you gave the country what they wanted, that's all that matters after all. It's for the country, not the one in charge who thinks they have to have their own pied piper tune playing.
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