THE Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) were pleased yesterday that the number of black players in the South African starting line-up had doubled.

Earlier on in the week, Cosatu called for Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer to be sacked and branded him racist, as they had received a number of complaints from black players.

While they are “glad” that more black players have been selected, Cosatu still feel that Meyer has to go before they see a real transformation.

“Cosatu Western Cape is glad that the number of black players has been doubled in the Springbok team starting line-up,” they said in a statement.

“This is an indication that South African Rugby Union (SARU) will not change out of their own and only pressure will bring a change. 

“This also confirms that Heynecke is not a good coach, who considers all the talent available.

“This seems like a team selected in panic to remove the pressure from him, and still excludes Mahoje, Carr, Jantjies and De Jong.

“The four black players are a start but still too many black players are excluded. We have no doubt this mixed team will do better than the previous all-white team.

“We want to see real transformation through all levels of the game and a review of the cosy political deals that was done with the Saru, which does not benefit black sportsmen as a whole. We want to see funds put into development at all levels of the game.

“We are glad the rugby bosses have come to their senses and we can now get behind the Springboks with a lot more comfort.”

Meyer claims that the increase of black players is to do with their talent and not the colour of their skin.

“I don’t look at colour, I look at the best players,” Meyer said. “I’m totally committed to transformation and I have a great relationship with my players. A lot of them came to me and said: ‘Coach, it’s not true what’s in the papers.’”

In a lengthy statement on Monday, Cosatu highlighted what it called the “privileged position of white players” and singled out the example of Jean de Villiers, who had been sidelined since November 2014 after suffering a dislocated kneecap and multiple ruptured ligaments while playing against Wales.

“Any other player anywhere else in the world would have to play himself back into the team after such a long absence, yet he gets to just walk back into the team, when he is clearly not the form player,” the statement said.