Coach Sean Everitt says any player picked for the Sharks is only done through merit-based selection, and not with transformation numbers in mind.
Last weekend, the Sharks fielded eight players of colour in their starting XV, and were widely hailed for their emphatic performance in a memorable win over the Highlanders.
Taking to Twitter, Sharks CEO Eduard Coetzee reacted to the comments hailing the team’s transformed look.
Receiving plenty of messages on Social Media around the diversity of our team…what’s the recipe? We see colour, we celebrate colour! We celebrate diversity and we drive inclusivity! @TheSharksZA #SSRugby #iseecolour @SuperSportTV
— Eduard Coetzee (@coetzee_eduard) February 7, 2020
Speaking from New Zealand on Tuesday, Everitt also explained his view on the matter.
‘It’s got nothing to do with doing anything intentionally and that’s from a development point of view as well. The players that we have at the Sharks are selected purely on merit and I’ve never once had to look at the numbers to select the team.
‘Whether I’ve been coaching at juniors or seniors, they’ve always been there and I believe that they’re the best in their position and warrant their selection on merit.’
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Photo: Joe Allison/www.Photosport.nz
