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Multiracial Springboks head for World Cup
Posted: Thursday October 14, 1999 07:56 PM
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa (AP) -- The world-champion Springboks left for Scotland on Thursday boasting a multiracial starting squad for the first time in their history. “There is stunning talent among our players of color,” coach Nick Mallett said at a pre-departure press conference. “They're the future of South African rugby.” South Africa's initial starting squad for its World Cup debut in 1995 was all-white. But Chester Williams -- who is of mixed race -- was drafted into the squad after the tournament started to replace an injured player. Williams became the first player to break the color barrier and shared in the triumph as South Africa edged New Zealand 15-12 in the final at Ellis Park. Nelson Mandela, who as president tried to use the white-dominated sport of rugby to bring all South Africans together in a “rainbow nation,” led the cheerleading for the team at a farewell dinner Wednesday night as he did during the last World Cup. “You carry the hopes of the entire nation with you,” Mandela told the players. “As I have been moving through the country, I have felt a lot of support for you to bring [the trophy] home. I too am a part of that support.” Two black and two mixed-race players are on the team, not a huge number considering there are 30 members overall. But their appointment is groundbreaking. “The next World Cup I promise you there will be more ... it's really going to be a rainbow team,” said Ollie Le Roux, a white player. Le Roux said support for the team from South Africans of all races had been “unbelievable.” “We want to get the whole nation behind us,” the 26-year-old prop said in an interview. Among the new players is Breyton Paulse, a winger of mixed race who Mallett describes as one of the team's best attacking players. “It's good to see players of color coming through and getting an opportunity to prove themselves at the highest level,” said Paulse, who made his international debut earlier this year against Italy. The 23-year-old Western Province speedster said he looked forward to the Springboks operating cohesively, regardless of a player's race. “We've got to play as a team and play as a unit.” South Africa's first match is against Five Nations champion Scotland on Oct. 3 in Edinburgh.
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