Racial tensions sour Springbok preparations as trade union enters debate

South Africans must be patient with the pace of transformation in the country’s national rugby side and will not be asking for more black players at the World Cup, sports minister Fikile Mbalula said yesterday.

The debate over racial quotas and transformation in the Springbok team flared up again in the wake of Saturday’s shock 37-25 home defeat to Argentina, with the country’s biggest trade union wading into the argument.

Two black players, Zimbabwe-born prop Tendai Mtwarira and experienced wing Bryan Habana, were included in coach Heyneke Meyer’s starting XV against the Pumas.