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Gio Aplon: Pushing hard for Boks
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Breyton Paulse believes the days of racial quotas in South African rugby are now extinct.
The former Springbok winger is adamant that the country has progressed "beyond that point" with players such as Bjorn Basson and Gio Aplon pushing for regular selection for the national side.
The topic has again surfaced in recent days with reports claiming that Absa, the sponsor of the premier domestic competition, the Currie Cup, were unhappy about the lack of transformation in rugby.
Just like cricket, the game had been a white dominated sport at most senior levels prior to the abolishment of apartheid.
To an extent, it still is, and administrators and government alike continue their strive to change its face.
The South African Rugby Union (SARU) together with Absa released a statement denying the reports of a threat from the banking giant to withdraw its sponsorship.
And Paulse, who played in 64 Tests for the Springboks between 1999 and 2007 scoring 26 tries, said: "It's not good when things are forced. Quotas are out as far as I'm concerned.
"We have progressed well beyond that point.
"Coaches should create opportunities for players that show potential."
Paulse also revealed how he struggled to cope when he was thrown in the mix during the earlier parts of his career.
He continued on www.sport24.com: "As a player of colour you already have to deal with a lot of pressure.
"I had the experience at Western Province in 1996 when I suddenly had to play against a Transvaal side full of World Cup Springboks.
"Guys like Pieter Hendriks and Japie Mulder ran circles around me."
Paulse urged those that were on the fringes of national selection, purely on merit, not to be overwhelmed and instead strive hard to make the grade.
He added: "Many of the players of colour, especially those that come from the country areas, come with an inferiority complex.
"That is already not a good start. They should take the initiative and use their chances."
Comments
abrad says...
Good....so now they can sack Pieter de Villiers and also...now we have then seen the back of Ricky January and we will also not have Chilliboy Ralepelle selected ahead of Bismarck du Plessis as they have been doing in the past as matter of routine.
Posted 17:39 23rd September 2010