SA rugby needs that black talent

WE couldn’t have put it better ourselves . . . Sport Minister Ngconde Balfour has slated as the “ramblings of dinosaurs” a book by Former Sarfu chief Louis Luyt and his chums, who claim the quota system is killing SA rugby.

In a statement, Sarfu called the views expressed "nothing more than the mutterings of ill-informed mischief-makers from an era best forgotten”. That too is true. New thinking and transformation are crucial.

It is sad to see the names of great former Boks such as Frik du Preez and Jannie Engelbrecht adding to the short-sighted perspective offered by Struggle Rugby, A Sport In Crisis, which was launched on Tuesday.

In the book, they claim the existence of a "neo-racist" plan to systematically drive whites out of the game and say that quotas to encourage the development of black players are killing rugby in SA.

This is a ridiculous distortion.The game has seen a happy resurgence under new coach Rudolf Straeuli with two entertaining wins against Wales and with a new-look team showing much potential.

Luyt writes: "If we want to save rugby we shall have to do something now. In two years’ time it may be too late. Then there may be nothing left to save."

As usual Big Louis has come out snorting and stamping, as this emission of verbal flatulence proves.

What we are seeing is the emergence of promising black players at senior level, and no one can say that any black Bok player has ever let the side down.

We need this untapped talent pool for the future.

Our decline has had much to do with unsuitable coaching methods The game has also advanced dramatically internationally and we’re playing catch-up.

---

Visit from minister is long overdue

IT has taken a long time coming, but finally top level attention, including that of national Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, has been focused on the plight of the provincial health services, as she and a high-powered delegation visited hospitals and clinics in various parts of the province this week.

The mismanagement and decline of health services in the Eastern Cape have been well chronicled for years.

The Bisho government, with the exception of former Health MEC Trudie Thomas and one or two others, seemed until recently to be in a state of stunned denial, showing little aptitude for dealing with the problems.

As Tshabalala-Msimang so pertinently pointed out, apartheid deprived people of the opportunity to learn necessary skills, so many government appointees had to acquire them on the job.

We now see the spoiled fruits of such hasty transformation. As sceptics say, an expert is often one who has learnt to repeat his mistakes with increasing confidence.

But there is more to it than that. The Minister will surely not fail to see evidence of slack attitudes and poor performance at the most menial levels. The rot runs deep and a major overhaul is needed.

The sooner partnerships are formed with private enterprise and proper mentoring takes place, especially at managerial level, the better.