There I am, blissfully driving into Durban CBD contently listening to 5FM's sports report when I hear it. Yet another contradiction by the court jester of Sports Ministry, Mike Stofile. He is apparently questioning the inclusion of Tendai "Beast" Mtawarira in the Bok team as Beast comes from Zimbabawe. As far as reports go Beast has now been kicked out of the team over this, but I could not find anything that denies or confirms this.
Now pardon my ignorance but is this same man not the one who keeps harping on about transformation in sport focusing his clearly-short-span-of-attention on rugby? I nearly slammed into the very unsuspecting driver in front of me while trying real hard not to utter words that might shock a very reserved passenger. The latter did not work as I let rip.
This is the same man who has already played 15 tests in the Green and Gold, with reasonable success at that. He is an asset to South African rugby and the team yet now suddenly Mr It decides to drop a bomb. Beast's application for South African citizenship is currently still being processed and knowing our very incapable public system this will take forever (if his application hasn't been torn up already).
In the meantime ridiculous rugby laws prevent a star player like Mtawarira to assist in taking our country to victory against a strong France. Tomorrow we have to hear their never-ending wailing about transformation?
This brings me to another quick point. CJ van der Linde has been called up to the Bok squad. He is currently playing on "greener pastures" for Leinster, Ireland. Now pardon my blonde ignorance. but wasn't it decided not too long ago that should you decide to play overseas you not be allowed to play for the national team? CJ last played for the Boks in August of 2008. That is a year and three months ago. Beast has been playing his heart out for the past year or so.
Yet one "rule" gets bent and another overseen? I am more confused than a Cheetah supporter at a Currie Cup Final at Loftus. He blatantly ensures a black player gets kicked out of the team over some rules enforced by him and his council of clowns. Yet there is no mention of or attempt to ban CJ van der Linde to play against rules that the coach instated not too long ago? Why not call up Francois Steyn and Jean de Villiers as well then?
Before the racist folks around here start attacking me, I'm a white Afrikaans-speaking woman who is absolutely fanatical about rugby. That said I am also really fed up with the contradictions that go on in the sport. I am tired of idiots trying to run something they are 100% clueless about. It is like appointing a kindergarten teacher with no mechanical experience as service centre manager for Mercedes Benz. The results are bound to be catastrophic.
I know it might be hard for Mike-ek-kan-nie Stofile to fathom but rules are rules. If you can bend one you must be allowed to bend others. Or else you're only caking your own face in mud.
I think it is high time that President Jacob Zuma enforces his new motto of "zero tolerance for corruption" in sports as well. Because this is all it is. It is time to clean house, tidy up and start sticking to all rules. Not before that happens will we be able to truly enjoy what our athletes can offer us and the rest of the world.
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Disclaimer: All articles and letters published on MyNews24 have been independently written by members of News24's community. The views of users published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24. News24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.