Springboks, Proteas could face SA flag, anthem ‘ban’ at World Cup
The Springboks and Proteas could face dramatic consequences after South Africa reportedly failed to comply with a World Anti-Doping Code.
In a dramatic report by the Daily Maverick‘s sports editor Craig Ray, South Africa has apparently not met the deadline to amend the outdated drug-free sport act in order to comply with the latest World Anti-Doping Code (Wada).
Consequences could reportedly see both the Springboks and Proteas unable to participate under a national flag, while also being unable to sing the national anthem.
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The Springboks are likely to be in Rugby World Cup quarter-final action next weekend, while the Proteas are in Cricket World Cup action from this Saturday.
On 23 September 2023, Wada apparently issued a statement confirming that South Africa had not updated its anti-doping code, but South Africa has not complied as yet, and now have just 10 days to do so fully before 13 October.
The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (Saids) had warned of the need to meet this compliance a year ago already – without any action as yet – while the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture will now apparently “expend all efforts get the Amendment Bill adopted expeditiously”.
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“Wada wishes to update stakeholders regarding the Executive Committee’s decision to endorse 10 recommendations of Wada’s independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC),” a statement by Wada read.
“During its meeting, the Exco asserted non-compliance of three Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code).
“The two National Anti-Doping Organisations (Nados) in question are Bermuda and South Africa; and the Major Event Organization (MEO) in question is the Pan American Sports Organization (Panam Sports).
“In the cases of the Bermuda and South Africa Nados, the non-compliance is a result of legislation not in line with the 2021 Code.”
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RUGBY WORLD CUP PERMUTATIONS IN THE SPRINGBOKS’ GROUP:
- Scotland must beat Ireland and deny the Irish a bonus point to finish second on the head-to-head rule with South Africa topping the pool.
- If Ireland get a bonus point and Scotland do not, Ireland will top the pool on the head-to-head rule from South Africa.
- A Scotland bonus-point win without Ireland getting anything from the game will see them qualify in second place behind South Africa. The Springboks would finish top on the head-to-head rule.
- If Scotland win and both teams get a bonus point, then they join South Africa on 15 points and points difference will determine top spot in Pool B.
- Scotland must win by 21 points or more to claim top spot ahead of South Africa (South Africa +117, Ireland +122 and Scotland +97). Ireland would then qualify as runners-up on the head-to-head rule, having beaten South Africa. If Scotland do not win by such a margin, then South Africa will finish top on points difference and Scotland second on the head-to-head rule.
- Ireland will guarantee top spot if they secure two points from their match against Scotland.
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PROTEAS’ 2023 CWC FIXTURES
- 7 October: v Sri Lanka, Delhi
- 13 October: v Australia, Lucknow
- 17 October: v Netherlands, Dharamsala
- 21 October: v England, Mumbai
- 24 October: v Bangladesh, Mumbai
- 27 October: v Pakistan, Chennai
- 1 November: v New Zealand, Pune
- 5 November: v India, Kolkata
- 10 November: Afghanistan, Ahmedabad
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