Don’t kick rugby debate into touch
Willemse’s walkout is an opportunity to have a broader discussion about attitudes in rugby circles
It took courage for former Springbok rugby player Ashwin Willemse to walk out of SuperSport’s TV studio on the weekend, after accusing his fellow rugby analysts of patronising him.This is what he said: "I’ve played this game for a long time, like all of us here, you know. And as a player I was labelled a quota player for a long time ... and I’ve worked hard to earn my own respect in this game."So I’m not going to be patronised by two individuals who have played in the apartheid, segregated era and come and want to undermine [other people]."Willemse was referring to fellow analysts Nick Mallett and Naas Botha.His walkout, lauded and derided in SA this week, is a response to the subtle prejudices many people face every day. Willemse’s protest is against the treatment meted out to him as a rugby player, as well as a professional in the studio.The incident highlights the problems in the sport.Willemse isn’t the only black Bok to have been labelled a quota player. Siya Kolisi and Elton J...
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