Recently, something remarkable happened in South African sports.
On January 11th, the South African Rugby Union (SARU) named Peter DeVilliers as the coach of their national team, The Springboks.
Big deal, right? Sports teams get new coaches all the time, don’t they? Well, yes, but in south Africa, this time it’s a little different… this time SARU has hired a black man to coach their national side. While most Americans might shrug this off, in the rugby world… especially in South Africa, this is huge!
Sure, there are more and more balck players being selected for the South African squad… players like Bryan Habana, JP Nell, Akona N’Dungane, Jon-Paul “JP” Pietersen, Ricky Januarie, and Breyton Paulse have become brights stars on a team of bright stars who are the current Rugby World Cup champions, but this is different. This isn’t about leadership or coaching ability, is it? I think that this is about national character.
Of course, you’re groaning now, because you think I am going to launch into a lecture about racism in sports, right? Well, not really… but in South Africa, considering the nation’s history and the fact that rugby is totally dominated by white players, on all levels, this move is just one more remarkable act in a nation of recurring remarkable acts.
South African politics have undergone a huge transformation in the past twenty years, as has South African culture. I suppose, then, that it should follow that change has come to the world of South African sports. I, for one, welcome that change.
The South African Rugby Union is to be congratulated. From all reports, DeVilliers is a top flight coach at the international level, and seems poised to lead that country’s national sport in the right direction.
south african rugby~! nou praat jy… LOL… well as a South African i’m very proud of our rugby team, the whole country is rugby crazy and all we want is for our team to win, doesn’t matter who plays… but the changes are good, that’s a fact, just a pity there is more politics in rugby than anywhere else in our country! thanks for dropping by my blog i was impressed with your afrikaans
Are you kidding me? Do you know what is going on in South Africa? The black coach and the black Rugby players were FORCED in via affirmitive action-style tactics. Better and more experienced white players were forced OUT. The country is rapidly tumbling downward toward a one party socialist state and you LIKE that. Wise up or shut up, mate.
Right… and Bryan Habana isn’t one of the best wingers in the world? Have I missed something, mate?