SA Rugby boss responds after report criticises Springboks over ‘transformation’ failure

SA Rugby President Mark Alexander is joined by Springboks players in celebrating a try.
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander says the sport is headed in the right path based on the most recent internal audit of the Strategic Transformation Development Plan 2030 (STDP 2030).
This comes after Sunday daily Rapport recently disclosed that the audit verified that in all three of the series the Springboks participated in in 2023, none of them saw them reach their transformation targets.
Alexander nevertheless conveyed his satisfaction with the advancements his firm has made in terms of transformation.
‘Massive commitment’ from provincial unions
Alexander declared, “All in all, I’m really pleased with our performance.” Each of the provincial unions exceeded their own goals and demonstrated a strong dedication. Although team demographics can be problematic in some situations, improvements in pathways are happening, which is excellent news for the future.
Rugby covers all facets of the sport in the STDP2030, including team demographics and administrative functions including hiring, staffing, committees, and procurement.
“Change is a process, and it is quite simple to observe the advancements we are making on the pitch when you switch on the TV and watch rugby at all levels,” Alexander continued.
“What you miss are the other areas of diversity and inclusion that are growing quickly and are addressed by the STDP 2030. These include corporate governance, skills and capacity development, demographic representation, performance, community development and social responsibility, and access to the game. “This progress is most evident at the national team level, where we have achieved remarkable advancements under the direction of Rassie Erasmus. SA Rugby report criticises Springboks for not meeting “transformation” targets. “Yes, we have targets for the Springboks in terms of demographics, but we also have performance targets that we will not compromise on, and we are definitely moving in the right direction on both fronts,” the report states.
When it comes to the media’s transformative eruption, misleading headlines are making a mountain out of a molehill, but our organisation has a far wider perspective on the situation.
Both inclusion and diversity are essential because they guarantee that all members of the team receive the same treatment and have a voice.
“committed to cultivating a culture of inclusivity”
Beyond just having a varied presence, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where all players, no matter their background, feel heard and respected.
“The Springboks are the best athletes available to represent our nation in any given year; they are a true representation of the talent pool, and significant strides are being made in generating opportunities and new heroes for every community.
“The social cohesion of our nation has been positively impacted by the Springbok team.” Rassie Erasmus recently received an honorary doctorate, which he deserved since he knows what it means to be a South African. He chooses his players based on their devotion to one another and what they can provide the team.
“The STDP is an ongoing procedure that will conclude in 2030. Our method of tracking development, acknowledging accomplishments, and identifying potential improvement areas is through the yearly reports.









