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Back in mid-July, South African cricket fans saw some of the country’s biggest names back in action in the inaugural 3TC (3 Team Cricket) outing at SuperSport Park in Centurion, dubbed the Solidarity Cup.

The match came as allegations and stories of racism in the South African cricket system were being told almost daily, with the likes of Makhaya Ntini speaking of an intense feeling of loneliness and alienation from his teammates.

Before the first ball was bowled, the players, as well as Graeme Smith, Francois Pienaar, and others involved in the administration and marketing of the tournament, took a knee to show support for the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement.

53-year-old Pienaar’s decision to take a knee was not well-received by some members of the 1995 Rugby World Cup squad, reports News24:

Pienaar’s decision to lend his voice to the movement did not go down well with all of his former team-mates and the discussion became so intense that it ended with him leaving the WhatsApp group made up of members of the 1995 ‘family’.

The article claims that some of the class of 1995 were upset by the fact that Pienaar taking the knee had indirectly linked them to being in support of BLM.

Image: Lee Warren/Gallo Images

Pienaar, the report adds, then posted a long message to the group explaining his decision before leaving.

Joel Stransky (flyhalf), Morne du Plessis (team manager), Edward Griffiths (former SARU CEO) and Christiaan Scholtz (centre) reportedly left the group after Pienaar did.

How does Francois Pienaar, in his personal capacity, taking a knee link the 1995 World Cup winners to support of BLM?

Also, I wonder what Chester Williams, the sole person of colour in the 1995 squad, would have said about the lack of compassion shown by his former teammates towards a cause that asks for black lives to matter as much as other lives do.

The movement’s manifesto states that “they work vigorously for freedom and justice for black people and, by extension, all people”.

In response to news of the WhatsApp falling out becoming public knowledge, Pienaar said he was disappointed that a private matter was leaked to the media, and said that disagreements happened from time to time:

Responding to the notion too much attention is given to BLM while the murders of white farmers does not generate enough media attention, Pienaar said that “farm murders are equally disgusting.”

“In 2017, I was one of those who participated in a march after the farm murder of Stellenbosch wine farmer Joubert Conradie,” he added.

“I am against any murders, rapes and corruption. Security in our country is not what it should be. People should not be afraid.”

News24 recently did a deep dive into the statistics surrounding South African farm murders, which you can read here.

It appears that former Springbok centre Hennie le Roux is the group’s de facto spokesperson, and he has been quoted as saying that the 1995 squad remains united, despite the odd difference in opinion.

This from SA Rugby Mag:

‘We [the 1995 Springboks] remain a close and united team,’ Le Roux said in a statement. ‘Although opinions are encouraged and from time to time they can differ. This country and all its people are under massive pressure and face great challenges. This team’s character is to have fiery debates, but at all times stay respectful and united.

‘Our biggest interest is and will always be to keep the country united and in the process remain steadfast and discourage any form of division. The Rainbow nation matters.’

Nice words, but when showing support for one of the colours in that rainbow draws ire, they ring hollow.

I wonder if the squad members that were so angered by Pienaar’s kneeling have read the issues raised by players of colour in this country?

Graeme Smith, the country’s director of cricket, has acknowledged that mistakes were made in the past, and is committed to creating a more inclusive environment going forward.

Meanwhile, it seems that the simple act of taking a knee is too much for some of the chaps from 1995 to stomach.

[sources:news24&sarugbymag]