Will there ever be an end to racism in South Africa rugby? I do not think so! Lions Super14 forwards coach, Leon Boshoff, has been suspended by the franchise for allegedly making racist remarks against the team’s black players after the Lions lost to the Stormers on the weekend.
What I have found interesting is that the SABC have reported this story by saying: “He allegedly told Earl Rose, Lawrence Sephaka and Ashwin Willemse that if they were not black their contracts would have been in jeopardy.” And most other media is only saying: “it was alleged he had verbally abused some of the players.” They do not mention the specifics like SABC have done i.e. not mention that is was racial abuse to the black players.
Boshoff has come out and denied the allegations. For me, where there is smoke there is fire. There is something going on at the Lions and only time will tell us what it is.
If these allegations are accurate then where is SA Rugby headed? They have been trying damn hard to stamp out racism in the game but it looks like every time a step forward is taken, there is always one step taken back.
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1 comment
Guru says:
Mar 18, 2009
I have never been a great fan of both Lawrence Sephaka and Earl Rose, especially not at the higher levels of Super Rugby. Personally I do agree that they are both not consistent enough to warrant top flight selection. However, nothing can ever justify a racist remark and if Bossoff said it then he deserves to be suspended. This kind of tension within the team can do nothing good for team morale, especially after the drubbing by the boys from the west. At this rate, I would not be surprised if they concede more disastrous results in the next few weeks when they start travelling.