“I don’t look at colour”: Meyer responds to racism claims

Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer announced his team to take on Argentina on Wednesday morning at a press conference, but predictably the line of questioning quickly turned to the claims made on Tuesday by COSATU that his Springbok selections have been racist.

The Congress of South African Trade Unions launched a scathing attack on Meyer and the Springboks, claiming the coach was handing more opportunities to white players at the expense of black players.

Meyer rubbished the claims, insisting he only ever selected the team based on ability and form, while alleging that many of the current Springbok group have come out in his defence since the allegations emerged.

“A lot of the players came out and supported us. You’re always going to get players that are unhappy if they don’t play,” Meyer said. “A guy like Steven Kitshoff really wants to play. He deserves the chance and he hasn’t had a chance. A guy Jan Serfontein was our starting centre and nobody writes about that.

“I don’t look at colour, I look at the best players. I’m totally committed to transformation and I have a great relationship with my players.”

Meyer added that certain players within the squad had backed him since the Cosatu claims first emerged on Monday.

“We’re all South Africans and we’re all there as a team to do the best for our country. We have to back each other in this country as players.”

Meyer began the briefing with a brief statement after what has understandably been a tough period in his tenure as Springbok coach.

“They say that sport or rugby builds character. It doesn’t build character, it reveals character. When I took the job I said it’s not about me, this job is bigger than the individual,” he said.

“The most important thing for me is to keep my integrity. I know there is a lot of criticism. I don’t have any excuses and I know where the public comes from. There is a lot of negativity and I understand that, but like I said from the start … I’m going to keep my integrity and that’s more important to me than just winning.”