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Trade union Solidarity said today that politics do not belong in rugby. This follows after several pressure groups, during this time leading up to the 2015 World Cup, objected to the so-called lack of transformation in rugby.

The latest objection came in the shape of a recent application for an urgent interdict filed by an outsider political party, the Agency for New Agenda (ANA). In the court application, the party requests the International Rugby Union (IRU) to ban the Springboks from participating in the 2015 World Cup because of a lack of transformation.

Dirk Hermann, Chief Executive of Solidarity, believes that there is no room for politics in national sport. “South Africans should now stand firmly behind the Springboks and not get involved in infighting about transformation. We believe that rugby players should not be chosen for the Springbok team based on their race; their selection should be based on their ability to bring the World Cup home,” Hermann explained.

During this time leading up to the kick-off of the World Cup on 18 September, the Solidarity Movement will show its support for the Springboks through a social media campaign with the theme “Solidarity supports the Boks”.

Hermann encouraged the public to support the campaign. “We think the answer to the debate is simple – keep white and black out of the green and gold. The issue, therefore, should not be about whether a player is white or black; it should rather be about whether he is gold or not,” Hermann said.

Issued by Solidarity