South Africa, Get Over It: Rugby Race Row

South Africa are the Rugby World Champions, and have been twice since returning to world sporting events after the end of apartheid. So why is the country still in a constant state of bickering?

Jake White's men won the World Cup last year in tremendous style, and realistically were always the most likely winners. England had no chance.

South Africa then decided not to renew Mr. White's contract, and appointed Pete De Villiers as his replacement.

De Villiers is South Africa's first coach of colour, and it has even been admitted that his appointment wasn't totally for rugby reasons.

The new coach has done well, though, since being thrown in at the deep end. Progressing players of colour into the Springbok side is something he has always been very good at.

South Africa now have a bigger pool of non-white players that can be relied upon at the highest level of international rugby.

This week though, De Villiers named two white men to his squad, in place of two coloured players, and the sporting officials went nuts.

The Boks are at the bottom of the Tri-Nations table, but did hammer Argentina in a recent test. But Argentina are no New Zealand!

The coach feels the changes will make the team stronger going into this week's Tri-Nations test against New Zealand, and isn't that what it's all about? Fielding the strongest team in order to win?

They picked De Villiers, and then the first time he sticks his neck out, they jump on his back. Maybe SA Rugby thought they had a puppet, but well done to De Villiers for standing on his own two feet and making the decisions he believes are the best for the Springboks.

Ricky Januarie and Conrad Jaantjies will continue to develop into top class rugby players, who'll hopefully play many more times for South Africa.

But in Percy Montgomery and Du Preez you have two of SA's most talented and experienced players—something that just might prove useful against the All Blacks.

What is the problem?

Butt out politics. Butt out SA Rugby.

You chose your man, now stick by him.