Sarfu must spell out 'Vision 2003'

When Harry Viljoen arrives at Sarfu’s offices in Newlands this week to discuss the possibility of his taking on the job of Springbok coach one trusts he will be fully informed of the full implications of the post.

Seeing as Rian Oberholzer sets such store by truthfulness that he was prepared to commit the union to an enormous cash pay-out to Nick Mallett because he (Oberholzer) believed he had been lied to, discussions with Viljoen (and whoever else might be in line) will hopefully take place in an atmosphere of candour.

In particular, one expects Sarfu will lay before Viljoen and other candidates the latest version of a document with the working title “Vision 2003” for it contains stipulations that might discourage him from taking up the position.

“Vision 2003” is being championed by Oberholzer and it essentially deals with transforming rugby from a white dominated sport to one in which blacks, both administrators and players, have far greater equity.

This is not unusual. Transformation or affirmative action is a reality of the new South Africa and is evident in every walk of life.

Why it is important that any new Springbok coach is fully cognisant of “Vision 2003” is because his contract will in all probability include the same time frame; making provision for him to be in charge of the national team up to and including the next World Cup that will be held in Australia and New Zealand in 2003.

And this is where problems might arise. According to my information “Vision 2003” demands that by the year 2003, now only three years away, ALL teams must have at least 40% black representation and that Springbok and Super 12 teams have at least five black players on the field.

Given the current debate surrounding “quotas” – a system that to my mind entrenches rather than removes racism – the implications to a new Springbok coach are forbidding.

He would surely have witnessed the storm that came down on Nick Mallett’s head in Cardiff 1999 and seriously wonder about whether (a). he can give effect to Sarfu’s decrees; (b). whether he will morally be able to reconcile himself with the possibility of non-merit selection; (c). whether he wants to expose himself to the kind of detestation Mallett had to endure over something he has no control of.

The Springbok coach’s job is hard enough without having to accept blame for the fact that Sarfu’s own development arm is not producing black Springboks.

That is why Viljoen and Oberholzer and whoever else charged with making the appointment conduct the interview with veracity and principle.

Given that his plans for Chester Williams and Rod Macqueen have already, in rugby’s time-honoured spirit of duplicity, been leaked to the Afrikaans Press, Viljoen knows what he’s in for. He also needs to be told exactly what is on the agenda when he decides whether he wants to be the Bok coach or not.

So much for the Springbok coach’s job being a poisoned chalice. It is more of a Judas Kiss.