Rugby World Cup: South Africa’s flag will fly at quarter-final

In a dramatic report by the Daily Maverick last week, it was revealed that South Africa has apparently not met the deadline to amend the outdated drug-free sport act in order to comply with the latest World Anti-Doping Code (Wada).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 Springbok and Proteas teams unable to participate under a national flag, while also being unable to sing the national anthem at the Rugby World Cup.

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The Springboks are set to be in Rugby World Cup quarter-final action this Sunday, while the Proteas are also in Cricket World Cup action this week.

However, it’s now reported by Rugby365 that Zizi Kodwa, the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, has confirmed that they have instructed the South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport to file an appeal, which will buy time for the teams to continue playing under the national flag – while also singing the anthem.

“I have also instructed SAIDS to file a notice to challenge WADA’s non-compliance declaration against South Africa through the Court of Arbitration in Sport,” Minister Kodwa told a media briefing on Tuesday. “I believe the grounds for appeal are strong and that the sanctions are not appropriate.

“The sanction as it pertains to the flying of the national flag has created unnecessary hysteria and punished athletes and players unfairly who are competing for the pride of South Africa.

“The filing of the appeal will stave off the consequences of the non-compliance as it applies to the flying of the South African flag at regional, continental and world championships and events, organised by major event organisations,” the minister added. “This means that the flying of the South African flag at events such as the cricket and rugby World Cups will not be affected until CAS rules on this challenge.

“I note that the issue of singing the national anthem has been conflated with this non-compliance matter in the political space to slander government and the ANC.”

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RESPONSE FROM SPRINGBOK CAMP AT THE WORLD CUP

Bok scrum coach Human believes all this concerning talk won’t affect the players.

“I’m not too sure a hundred per cent what’s happening there,” he said. “I can’t really comment on it, but all I do know is the Springboks players are one hundred per cent focused on the job, on what needs to be done this week. I don’t think there’s a focus on jerseys whatsoever.

“It doesn’t matter in which colour jersey, or a jersey without a flag on or even without the national anthem, I can tell you, and I can assure you of one thing, the boys who are here – the 53, our whole squad here who represent South Africa – they represent 60 million people back home, and they’re willing to fight for them. I can assure you of that.”

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EFFORTS BEING MADE TO RESOLVE ISSUES

On 23 September 2023, Wada apparently issued a statement confirming that South Africa had not updated its anti-doping code. South Africa has apparently not complied as yet, although this is now going to be appealed.

The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (Saids) had warned of the need to meet this compliance a year ago already.

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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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