SA desperately trying to avoid Springbok, Proteas flag, anthem disaster with WADA appeal

The South African government on Tuesday appealed the World Anti-Doping Agency's decision to bar the country's sports teams from flying the national flag or singing their anthems at international events.

South Africa's sporting federations have faced the prospect of losing their national standing with WADA. This would prove to be a significant hindrance to South Africa's current participation in the Rugby World Cup in France and Cricket World Cup in India.

Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture Zizi Kodwa addressed media in Cape Town on Tuesday, where he stated that the bill was approved and will now be "tabled to Parliament".

The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (Saids) has filed a notice to challenge WADA's non-compliance declaration, to which WADA has 48 hours to respond.

"I am confident that WADA will recognise these efforts as a commitment to pass the amended legislation and suspend the non-compliance declaration," Kodwa said at a press briefing in Parliament on Tuesday.

The filing of the appeal will "stave off the consequences of the non-compliance", meaning that flying the South African flag at current ongoing events like the Cricket and Rugby World Cup will not be affected "until CAS rules on this challenge". 

"The appeal, which we will lodge today, is notice of intent to dispute," said Saids chief executive officer Khalid Galant.

"To consider the matters that have already been done in terms of cabinet approval and for WADA to consider rescinding the non-compliance declaration. If they do not accept that, we would file it and go forward to the Court of Arbitration (CAS)."

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The new WADA code came into effect in