“I have resolved to remove the privilege for Athletics South Africa‚ Cricket South Africa‚ Netball South Africa and the South African Rugby Union to host or bid for any major and mega worldwide tournaments in the Republic of South Africa with immediate effect‚” said Mbalula.
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If he keeps his word – something he has regularly not done in the past – it would dash South African hopes of hosting the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
World Rugby will open bidding for that tournament next month and will have made their mind up by November 2017 as to who the tournament hosts will be.
As well as SA Rugby, the national federations in charge of cricket, athletics and netball in South Africa have been hit with the same punishment for failing to reach “transformation targets”.
South African Rugby chief executive Jurie Roux said the organisation planned to meet Mbalula regarding the 2023 World Cup bid.
I will review this decision when considering the results of the 2016/17 transformation barometer.
“Transformation is a key strategic imperative for SA Rugby to remain competitive and to survive in the sporting landscape in our country”.
South Africa have always been viewed as Ireland’s main rivals to host the 2023 World Cup so the news will be seen as a boost to Ireland’s chances of staging the event.
Roux said they understand and support the minister’s urgency in addressing the issue of transformation.
SA Rugby on Monday acknowledged the findings of the Eminent Persons’ Group report on Transformation for 2014/15 and the sanction imposed by Mr Fikile Mbalula, Minister for Sports and Recreation.
Five South African sporting federations had signed a memorandum of understanding with the sports ministry a year ago, which stated that 60% of the team should comprise of players of colour.
The ban will not affect existing tournaments involving the Springboks, such as the Rugby Championship and a three-match incoming tour by Ireland in June.
“If they are able to correct their errors that will be good for them and then they can self-correct it going forward”, he said.
In the past, the Apartheid government deliberately and maliciously sought to ensure that only white South Africans received resources.
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Mbalula said he had the power to completely withdraw recognition for a federation over transformation, but he stopped short of that.
