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Springboks investigation is suspended

The investigation into alleged racism in South African rugby was postponed Tuesday until next year so it doesn't burden the Springboks' buildup to next month's World Cup.

The decision was announced at a media conference headed by Sports Minister Ngconde Balfour, South African Rugby Football Union chief executive Mveleli Ncula, and SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd deputy managing director Songezo Nayo, said SARFU media spokesman Anthony MacKaiser.

SARFU wanted the team to prepare free of a growing controversy which has reportedly put coach Rudolf Straeuli's job at risk, dragged in former president Nelson Mandela, and even threatened television coverage of the World Cup starting on Oct. 10 in Australia.

The inquiry, led by retired judge Edwin King, was meant to start on Monday, but was delayed by legal proceedings by the South Africa Broadcasting Association, which wanted to telecast the injuiry live. When SARFU opposed SABC's application, the broadcaster hinted at not showing any World Cup matches.

The controversy has reopened old wounds in a country scarred by apartheid, and raised new questions about the depth of transformation.

It began last month when white lock Geo Cronje did not want to share a room with black teammate Quinton Davids at a Springbok training camp. Although he did not publicly state his reasons, Cronje was widely accused of racism.

A SARFU cleared Cronje of racism and apologies were offered to the player, including one from the governing African National Congress.

But Springboks media manager Mark Keohane then resigned a week ago, saying he could no longer work in an environment where racism and prejudice were excused and covered up. He left his former bosses with a 12,000-word report alleging incidents of racism and prejudice within the squad.

Keohane was critical of Straeuli's handling of the affair. Keohane said Mandela called Straeuli and asked the coach not to tolerate racism.

Keohane also alleged black midfielder Gcobani Bobo believed he was just making up quota numbers, black winger Ashwin Willemse wanted to play overseas after the World Cup because black players remained a minority in South Africa, that white Bulls players in the Bok squad ignored black autograph seekers, and white players queued for the team's white physiotherapist and ignored the black physio.

Keohane also claimed Springbok management covered up the guilt of Bakkies Botha, who bit Australian player Brendan Cannon in a match last month. Botha received an eight-week ban for attacking Cannon's face but was not charged with biting for lack of evidence.
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