Saru: ‘Transformation is still key’

27 Jan 2012

Saru don’t believe they’re taking a step back in transformation with the appointment of new Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.

At the Springbok coach announcement in Newlands on Friday, the panel made to field numerous questions relating to transformation. ‘Do you think we are taking a step back in terms of transformation?’ and ‘What do black coaches need to do to be good enough?’ were some of the questions put forward. One journalist even veered on a radically hypothetical angle, asking: ‘When will another black coach be appointed again?’

However, both Saru president Oregan Hoskins and CEO Jurie Roux stressed that transformation has been taken into account during the coach appointment process.

‘I think the ideal principle would be transforming people’s minds before we transform anything else,’ said Roux, suggesting that the best rugby decisions will help the growth and development of transformation. ‘The manner in the way we decided on the new coach was quite simple. We wanted the best coach for the team. We also want a winning team, which will result in a successful and growing sporting environment. Once we have that, we can promote and grow interest in sport.’

Hoskins weighed in on the issue: ‘I’ve spoken to Heyneke in the past and recently about transformation, and he understands the dynamics of the South Africa society. He is a loyal and faithful South African.’

Meyer was cagy on the issue, but said: ‘My aim is to unite everybody and get everybody’s support behind the team. Then I want to make the decisions that are in the best interests of the team.’

By Gareth Duncan



13 Comments

  • 1.ChairmanShabazz: Reply to this comment
    27 Jan 2012, 18:11 pm

    From the above statements we can safely say that transformation will be on the back burner for the next four years or until success is reached as per roux.well done the Broederbond and for Hoskins for his puppet skills.

  • 2.gecko: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2012, 12:41 pm

    What should rugby transform too? The demographic of the country, the demographic of playing numbers, the demographic of paying fans? The pockets of the politicians?

  • 3.bryce_in_oz: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2012, 13:01 pm

    The best man for the job was selected full-stop not like the last sham!

  • 4.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2012, 13:08 pm

    @ChairmanShabazz-1: so are you saying that TRANSFORMATION HNDERS SUCCESS?

    FARK CAPS

  • 5.Great White Sharks gonna get ya: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2012, 14:09 pm

    @bryce_in_oz-3:

    He now has the job of undoing the outdated tactics of the former clown. I wish him well.

  • 6.youknowwho: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2012, 14:34 pm

    Lets set the bar a bit higher than we set for PDV.. remember HM is supposed to be better. Away wins in NZ and Aussie and an EoYT grandslam is a minimum in his first year.

  • 7.bryce_in_oz: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2012, 14:38 pm

    @Great White Sharks gonna get ya-5:

    Yep a total rebuild pretty much… at least a full seasons work…

  • 8.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2012, 14:50 pm

    @youknowwho-6:

    The bar dosen’t need to be that high to win a grand slam, Ab’s have lost only one test match in the NH since 2004!!

  • 9.gecko: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2012, 15:04 pm

    ‘Ab’s have lost only one test match in the NH since 2004!!’ Two actually, don’t forget Cardiff ’07

  • 10.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2012, 15:14 pm

    @gecko-9:

    I was meaning Cardiff, whats the other one i ‘ve missed?

  • 11.gecko: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2012, 15:28 pm

    @NZINCHINA-10: Hong Kong 2010. Of course I’m being facetious, but both Cardiff and Hong Kong in the NH.

  • 12.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2012, 16:39 pm

    @gecko-11:

    Fair call I’d forgotten! lets rephrase that in a Grand slam context, no losses to grand slam opposition teams since late 03′

  • 13.Great White Sharks gonna get ya: Reply to this comment
    28 Jan 2012, 22:25 pm

    Lets hope our coach doesn’t get sideswiped and ambushed by SARU every five minutes.

    If the goons in SARU manage to leave politics out of the equation there might be hope for South African rugby this year.

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

Have your say

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Not for sale to Persons under the age of 18. Drink Responsibly.