WP's Grant Khomo Week controversy: DA to report 'unjust discrimination' to World Rugby, SAHRC

The Democratic Alliance has weighed in on the controversial demotion of Western Province's Under-16 team at the Grant Khomo Rugby Week in Paarl, with the party set to report the matter to both World Rugby and the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC).

Western Province's Under-16 team, one of two sides representing the province at Hoër Landbouskool Boland in Paarl, was reported for playing fewer players of colour than stipulated by SA Rugby for provincial youth rugby weeks in their game against the Bulls on Tuesday.

As a result, according to a Netwerk24 report, Western Province were demoted from playing in Thursday's 'final' against Free State because they did not meet the requirement of selecting at least 11 players of colour in their match-day 23.

READ | WP Under-16s booted from Grant Khomo Week 'final' after failing transformation targets – report

Their place in the main game was handed to the Bulls, who went on to beat Free State 20-12 in muddy conditions at the agricultural school's Paardeberg Field just north of Paarl.

Unbeaten throughout the tournament, Western Province had to settle for third place after defeating the Golden Lions 10-5.

They had better of the Bulls (25-18) on Tuesday and Boland (41-12) on Monday.

It is understood that two players of colour on the Western Province team were injured, which forced their replacement by two white centres called up from the Western Province XV team, essentially their "B-team", who are also competing at the Grant Khomo Week.

The Western Province XV also went unbeaten after wins against the Free State XV (50-3), the Pumas (38-7) and the Sharks (25-8).

DA spokesperson in sports, arts and culture, Tsepo Mhlongo, said the party not only condemned what they deemed to be