As the nation continues to bask in the victory of the Springboks, the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), which is the largest and the most militant union in South Africa, would like to add its voice in congratulating and celebrating the entire rugby team for their phenomenal victory against England on Saturday, and winning the Rugby World Cup.

On behalf of 360 thousand militant Metalworkers we want to say well done to the team for this achievement. We also want to express our gratitude to Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira for having served the national team with pride following his announcement this week that he would be retiring from international rugby. He retires as South Africa’s most capped prop and the third most capped Springbok having also played 117 tests.

The Springboks made history on Saturday by winning their third Rugby World Cup with a score of 32-12 against England. They put on a spectacular performance throughout the tournament, and displayed the highest levels of sporting talent. The Springboks boast the best defensive system in world rugby at present, and they made it impossible for England to break through the South African wall. What sweetened the victory was Siya Kolisi leading a team which included six black players.

This is significant because from the time that Rugby was introduced as a sport in our country it has remained almost exclusively reserved for whites. As NUMSA we have not at all forgotten the slogan “no sport in an abnormal society”, however we want to posit this on the basis that the struggle for equality and the deep needed thirst for fundamental and radical change is a struggle that must continue such that rural areas, poor working class communities can join the fray of what has become a professional and for profit sport.

Since 1994 South African Rugby has steadfastly and consistently been an obstacle to transformation in the sport, and this is why even today, the team still does not truly represent the demographics of the country. The few players of colour who made it into the team, did so under very difficult and against very challenging conditions. Rugby is a sport which remains elitist and it continues to exclude the African working class majority. The selection process targets and recruit’s talent from affluent schools and this makes it difficult for members of the African working class to gain access and to participate in the sport.

Today so many people still struggle to identify themselves with the team because of this painful racist legacy. Even now, the victory of the Boks sparked debate in some circles, which exposed deep divisions in our society and it highlighted the massive inequality which continues to cripple our development.

It is unacceptable that in order for a Black player to be recognized as a Springbok player he has to be extraordinary, and superhuman effort is required in order for him to make it into the selection process. But for white players, this is not the case. Our Black reality tells us that to be fit for the sport, one has to have a daily healthy meal and access to exercise facilities. This reality in a class divided society escapes the working class youth.

Despite all attempts to exclude us, this was a victory for the working class because we have shown that even under Apartheid Capitalism we can break through its barriers. We must celebrate the likes of Makozole Mampimpi, who was the first Springbok to score a try in a World Cup Final. Cheslin Kolbe followed up with his own spectacular try.

As a Marxist-Leninist formation, which has been struggling for Socialism, we are under no illusions that a world Cup can have the power to unite a deeply divided society such as ours. We know that only a revolution can achieve the kind of change needed to change power relations, between the dominant Capitalist class, and the working class.

By celebrating this milestone, we are not denying the fact that South African rugby still has a long way to go to genuinely transform. We are in fact, acknowledging that the Springboks won the world cup in a class and race divided society. Capitalist countries are at the epicenter of such world games. Celebrating this achievement does not make us less Socialist but workers and the working class are the very ones watching and following the sport just as the working class and working class leadership religiously follow Chiefs and Pirates. The class is organized not by dogma but by acknowledging where the class is at, and the fact that it is searching for a way out of Capitalist domination and Capitalist Rule. 

We are very proud of the team and we are grateful for the dedication and commitment which was displayed by each and every team member of the Springboks to secure this victory.

Aluta continua!

The struggle continues!

Issued by NUMSA