Springbok coach touches on SA flag, anthem ‘ban’ at World Cup

In a dramatic report by the Daily Maverick last week, it was revealed that South Africa has apparently not met the deadline to amend the outdated drug-free sport act in order to comply with the latest World Anti-Doping Code (Wada). Consequences could reportedly see both the Springbok and Proteas teams unable to participate under a national flag, while also being unable to sing the national anthem.

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The Springboks are set to be in Rugby World Cup quarter-final action this Sunday, while the Proteas are also in Cricket World Cup action this week.

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Response from Springbok camp

Bok scrum coach Human believes all this concerning talk won’t affect the players.

“I’m not too sure a hundred per cent what’s happening there,” he said. “I can’t really comment on it, but all I do know is the Springboks players are one hundred per cent focused on the job, on what needs to be done this week. I don’t think there’s a focus on jerseys whatsoever.

“It doesn’t matter in which colour jersey, or a jersey without a flag on or even without the national anthem, I can tell you, and I can assure you of one thing, the boys who are here – the 53, our whole squad here who represent South Africa – they represent 60 million people back home, and they’re willing to fight for them. I can assure you of that.”

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Efforts being made to resolve issues

As it is, the government are confident in complying with the WADA code and avoiding any sanctions going forward.

“Government is engaging with WADA in relation to our amendment bill, and we will provide an update in due course, but there is no way we will be in a situation where our teams will not play under the South African flag,” a sports ministry spokesperson said.

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On 23 September 2023, Wada apparently issued a statement confirming that South Africa had not updated its anti-doping code, but South Africa has not complied as yet, and now have just 10 days to do so fully before 13 October.

The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (Saids) had warned of the need to meet this compliance a year ago already – without any action as yet – while the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture will now apparently “expend all efforts get the Amendment Bill adopted expeditiously”.

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“Wada wishes to update stakeholders regarding the Executive Committee’s decision to endorse 10 recommendations of Wada’s independent Compliance Review Committee (CRC),” a statement by Wada read.

“During its meeting, the Exco asserted non-compliance of three Anti-Doping Organizations (ADOs) with the World Anti-Doping Code (Code).

“The two National Anti-Doping Organisations (Nados) in question are Bermuda and South Africa; and the Major Event Organization (MEO) in question is the Pan American Sports Organization (Panam Sports).

“In the cases of the Bermuda and South Africa Nados, the non-compliance is a result of legislation not in line with the 2021 Code.”

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