SA Rugby president Oregan Hoskins said on Monday he had urgently contacted the Golden Lions Rugby Union for information on reports of violence and allegations of racism at a club match in Johannesburg on Saturday.

The police were called to the game between Wanderers and Eldoronians after the referee abandoned the game in the second half.

“I am awaiting a report from the Golden Lions Rugby Union and we cannot pre-judge any findings that any subsequent disciplinary hearing may make but these kind of reports are distressing in the extreme,” said Mr Hoskins.

“The South African Rugby Union totally condemns violence and racism in the game and we will assist our provinces in stamping out this cancer in any way we can. The unions have wide discretionary powers that include the sanction of life bans from the game and we expect them to hand out such measures where it is merited by the case.”

Mr Hoskins said he had spoken to the newly-elected Golden Lions president, Mr Kevin de Klerk, and Union chief executive officer, Manie Reyneke, who had promised a swift investigation.

“We cannot pretend that these kind of incidents exist,” said Mr Hoskins, “and when we do get reports of them we must take the strongest possible action. I am still haunted by the death on a rugby field of Riaan Loots of Rawsonville just over three years ago in a match that featured random acts of violence and allegations of racism.

“I have communicated to the provincial unions that they have the full backing of the South African Rugby Union for any action they see fit in taking against violent and racist players and against the clubs who harbour them.”


Issued by SA Rugby Communications