SA Rugby president insists transformation is on track: 'Making a mountain out of a mole heap'

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander insists the governing body is on track in achieving its transformation objectives.

This follows a report in Sunday newspaper Rapport that indicated that the Springboks did not select a sufficient amount of "generic black" players in 2023.

According to the Afrikaans publication, a "comprehensive" 206-page audit compiled by SA Rugby sent to the country's provincial unions stated that the Springboks fell short of their targets last year.

The audit is part of SA Rugby's Strategic Transformation Development Plan for 2030 (STDP2030), with government setting a target for national sports bodies to field teams that consist of 60% black and coloured players by 2030.

EXPLAINER | What the SA Rugby transformation report said, and what it means for Springboks

In 2023, the Springboks' transformation targets were 54% for "generic black players", which includes black and coloured players, of whom 27% had to be "ethnically black players".

However, in the Rugby Championship, the Bok team consisted of 39% "generically black" players, of whom 13% were ethnic black players. During the triumphant World Cup campaign in France, the Boks used 38% "generically black" players, 16% of whom were ethnic black players.

SA Rugby responded to the matter via a press statement on Monday, with Alexander saying that overall, he was "very happy" with their performance.

"The provincial unions all showed massive commitment and passed their self-determined targets. Team demographics are a challenge in some areas, but pathways are becoming better transformed, which is very positive for the future."

The STDP2030 encompasses all areas of endeavour in rugby - including operations such as procurement, governance, staffing, committees, as well