During his visit to Grahamstown on Tuesday, Springbok coach Allister Coetzee revealed his plan to change mindsets within South African rugby to the community.
During his visit to Grahamstown on Tuesday, Springbok coach Allister Coetzee revealed his plan to change mindsets within South African rugby to the community.
Coetzee has been tasked with implementing a transformation plan drawn up by the South African Rugby Union (SARU) and working towards their goal of 50% representation from players of colour at the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
However, Coetzee insists that transformation goes deeper than hitting quotas. According to him, the most important aspect of it is breaking down stereotypes that limit people of all races.
"Transformation is a change in your mindset – a change in heart. There are perceptions, and you've got to break down those perceptions."
"How can a black man not become a lock or a prop for a national side?"
"I said to a journalist the other day: 'I selected a white wing [Ruan Combrinck] in South Africa now. Remember you said that there would never be a white wing again? But don't get a fright when I select a black lock – and you don't ask me why there is a black lock, because there is a white wing now.'"
Coetzee was paraded around his town of birth throughout the day – and received a warm welcome from fellow Grahamstonians – most notably Makana Executive Mayor Nomhle Gaga, and Supreme Court of Appeal President Lex Mpati, who is also the Chancellor of Rhodes University.
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