While debate still rages over the Springbok squad headed to the World Cup shortly a little known political party is crying foul, appearing in court this Tuesday seeking an urgent order that will prevent the Boks from competing in the tournament.

If successful The Agency for New Agenda party will also ensure that South African Rugby Union bosses, along with sports department officials like Fikile Mbalula, must surrender their passports so they cannot travel.

The party’s president, Edward Mahlomola Mokhoanatse, is unhappy with the lack of transformation in the Bok set-up. Below from News24:

In his affidavit, Mokhoanatse says the court action is a “public duty to defend our Constitution and to consign to the rubbish bin of history all vestiges and remnants of racial bigotry, racial exclusion and discrimination”.

He says although much has been done to transform the country, “some citizens resist such transformation and continue to practise activities, acts and conduct that are premised on unfair discrimination based on … race”.

He adds that the national rugby team’s selection criteria are “racially exclusionary” and biased in favour of whites.

He adds that Mbalula has failed to transform rugby and any argument Saru presents to justify its failure to transform the sport should “be treated with disdain”.

Mbalula waded in on the transformation debate Saturday, releasing a lengthy statement following the squad announcement Friday evening. You can read that in full HERE.

A judge will hear the application on Tuesday, with a spokesperson for the Department of Sport and Recreation saying that they were readying for battle.

If they want to hand over Ruan Pienaar’s passport that’s a price I’m willing to pay.

[source:news24]