‘Don’t over-celebrate Kolisi appointment’

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Kaya Malotana has hailed Siya Kolisi’s appointment as Bok captain but says more must be done to transform South African rugby.

The Border centre became the first black African Bok when he played against Spain at the 1999 World Cup. It would be his only Test cap.

‘I am just hopeful that we are not going to be stuck in celebrating Siya as the first black Springbok captain and forget that we still have a serious transformation agenda that we must fast-track in this country‚’ Malotana told TimesLive.

‘I am excited for Siya but for me, it is long overdue and I think that he has been frustrated at not being given the opportunity.

‘Being the first [black] Springbok captain is a great milestone but it is disappointing that in 2018 we are still talking about a black Springbok captain. Opportunities have been there to do it in the past and they were never used.

‘The only reason that we are only celebrating the first [black] Springbok captain in 2018 is exactly because the transformation agenda has not been made a priority by the powers that be.

‘One will hope that South Africa will use this opportunity to bring this issue of transformation back on the table and in the spotlight so that all the children who are playing this sport are on an equal footing.’

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Photo: Tertius Pickard/Gallo Images

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Simon Borchardt