SA Rugby blast government over WADA flag debacle

SA Rugby President Mark Alexander has made it clear where fault lies in the ongoing WADA debacle that has threatened the Springboks’ right to carry the South African flag into competition an to sing our national anthem.

Alexander says that the government has dragged its heels on the legislation required to keep South Africa compliant with the anti-doping agency.

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SA RUGBY BLAST GOVERNMENT

On Tuesday Sport Minister Zizi Kodwa lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne.

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Kodwa claims this should prevent the Springboks and Proteas from being embarrassed on the global stage.

However, Alexander is dumbfounded that it has come to this and has slammed the incompetency of the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture.

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“We have this problem because our government failed to have new legislation promulgated,” he told the South African media.

“It is a disgrace. It is an embarrassment for our country. They were issued notice well in advance.

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“This is not a debatable thing. You cannot change things. You just have to put it in your legislation.

“We are supposed to conform to WADA requirements.

“We failed to change our legislation to include the changes. Heads should roll.”

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WADA FLAG DEBACLE STAVED OFF FOR NOW

Kodwa has scrambled to both get legislation passed and to stave off the threatened action from WADA.

“There is no way we will be in a situation where our teams will not play under the South African flag.”

WADA has followed through on threats to bar entire nations from participating in global events under their national flag.

The body barred Russia from competing under their flag at the Olympic games and IAAF events over state-sponsored doping. Russia remains suspended.