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SA Rugby statement: Withdrawal of invitation to a team from Israel
By Liam Heagney
An invitation for Tel Aviv Heat, the Israel-based Super Rugby Cup franchise, to participate in a provincial tournament in South Africa has been withdrawn by SA Rugby. It was announced on Monday that the Super Cup finalists, who were defeated by Black Lion of Georgia in December, would be one of five overseas teams that would join six local sides to contest the Mzanzi Challenge from March 24 onwards.
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However, the news that Tel Aviv had been invited to play in the 11-team tournament wasn’t warmly received and negotiations at SA Rugby level resulted in that invitation being withdrawn on Friday, four days after the plan for the 2023 competition was released. The Israel side will now be replaced by a franchise from Mexico.
A statement read: “SA Rugby announced on Friday that it had withdrawn an invitation to the Tel Aviv Heat to play in the Mzansi Challenge, following representations from multiple stakeholders.
The Israel-based team were scheduled to compete in a competition with four other international teams and six South African provinces from next month.
“However, the team was advised on Friday that the invitation had been withdrawn. The Mexican Rhinos have been earmarked to replace them, pending approval by the General Council.
“The Mzansi Challenge kicks off on March 24 with the Diables (Spain), Simbas (Kenya), Rhinos (Mexico), Windhoek Draught Welwitschias (Namibia) and Goshawks (Zimbabwe) joining South African provinces Leopards, Valke, Boland Kavaliers, Eastern Province, Border Bulldogs, and SWD Eagles. An adjusted fixture list will be issued in due course.”
'We are not talking that we need the place of Italy or Wales. We don’t need that. We need more good games'
It's a miracle Levan Maisashvili is alive. He tells @heagneyl ??? he's now desperate for @GeorgianRugby to get more games ahead of the #RWC2023 https://t.co/5nbZqEsJQ3
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 29, 2023
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander said: “We have listened to the opinions of important stakeholder groups and have taken this decision to avoid the likelihood of the competition becoming a source of division, notwithstanding the fact that Israel Is a full member of World Rugby and the IOC.”
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The SA Rugby Union should have first send a fact finding mission to the Occupied oppressed Palestinian territories and seen first hand the oppression of the Zionists against the Palestinians and realised the barbaric mind set of these zionists jews. Apartheid under the whites in south africa was a picnic I say. Desmond Tutu, Human Rights watch, many jewish organizations, Jimmy Carter (ex-president of the usa) and hundreds of fair minded persons have condemned the racism of this worst than apartheid state. Christians should remember that Jesus was born in Palestine and was a Palestinian! This apartheid state has stolen the land of the Palestinians, and continue to do so daily. Please think before doing things that are supporting this illegitimate state. they have ignored scores of UN resolutions and continue to do so.
This is very good news. Basic decency should trump membership of the IOC and World Rugby.