By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
South African Rugby Union (SARU) has come under fire for withdrawing an invitation to the Tel Aviv Heat to play in the Mzansi Challenge scheduled for March 2023.
The Israel-based team were scheduled to compete in the Mzansi Challenge, a new competition with four other international teams and six South African provinces set to commence next month. However, the team was advised that the invitation had been withdrawn.
The Mexican Rhinos have been earmarked to replace the Heat, pending approval by the General Council.
“The South African Rugby Union (SARU) has until tomorrow (Wednesday 22 February) to respond to questions raised by the Israel Rugby Union (IRU) and the Tel Aviv Heat (TAH) regarding SARU’s decision to uninvite TAH from the Mzansi Challenge,” a statement from Tel Aviv Heat read.
“SARU indicated that the decision to rescind the invitation was based on, ‘representations from multiple stakeholders’. This goes against their own mandate, as well as that of World Rugby which prohibits discrimination on the grounds of race, national or social origin, sex, politics, religion or creed.
“IRU argue that there are criteria that prohibit incidents of this nature to take hold in the sport. Based on this, IRU and TAH have consulted both local and international lawyers and have since formally requested the relevant documentation needed in terms of disclosing the record of the decision taken by SARU. TAH are further contemplating high-court proceedings for damages and given SARU until Wednesday 22 February to be re-instated.”
TAH director of rugby, Kevin Musikanth, supported the position.
“Our players, the bulk of which are South Africans of all races and religions, are now currently lacking earning opportunities,” he said.
Pete Sickle, CEO of Tel Aviv Heat, further expressed the hope that SARU would comply by disclosing the relevant documentation and “proceed in the manner that is required by both the law and the spirit in which international sport is intended to be played”
The Mzansi Challenge kicks off on 24 March with the Diables (Spain), Simbas (Kenya), Windhoek Draught Welwitschias (Namibia), and Goshawks (Zimbabwe) joining South African provinces, Leopards, Valke, Boland Kavaliers, Eastern Province, Border Bulldogs, and SWD Eagles.
An adjusted fixture list will be issued in due course.