'We will look for black rugby brains' - race row rocks Southern Kings
The Southern Kings have started an internal disciplinary process, following a racist rant by board member Bantwini Matika – reports Rugby 365
Matika, in Facebook posts that elicited angry reactions, accused former Springbok coach Nick Mallett and television analyst of being a racist.
This follows after the Port Elizabeth-based franchise revealed that Mallett will be part of the panel that will find a replacement for axed coach Deon Davids.
In his Facebook post, Matika said the Kings don’t need help from “Racist Mallet[t]” to find a suitable coach for the team.
“Mallet[t] is not suitable to help us and look for a coach who will be dedicated to build a totally transformed Kings team,” he said in his rant.
“Mallet[t] will never support our transformation agenda and therefore is ill-equipped to choose an appropriate coach for the Kings.”
In a separate post, using a vile expletive, he said he is happy to confront ‘institutionalised racism’ in rugby.
Kings board Chairman Loyiso Dotwana said the series of Facebook posts from Matika is “completely unacceptable” and do not represent the views or position of the board of the Southern Kings.
“We have already initiated a process to deal with this unfortunate incident internally,” Dotwana said.
He added that they support Mallett’s participation in the panel that will find a coach to replace Davids.
“We have previously communicated that the Kings are looking to appoint a new head coach. As a result, the board is assembling a reputable panel of experts to assist in the interviewing of prospective candidates for the position.
“However, this panel has not yet been finalised, but it must be pointed out that it will be chaired by the Chairman of the board.
“We believe that Nick Mallet has the right expertise to assist us in selecting a coach who will help build a professional and competitive rugby team for the future.
“The Kings are the first black-owned rugby franchise in South Africa and, as such, are fully committed to the transformation of the sport in the country.”
The Southern Kings recently advertised their head coach position after it was announced that Davids, who had been at the helm since 2016, departed by “mutual agreement”.
The Port Elizabeth media sees Matika’s racist rant as part of a power struggle.
Matika also accused Kings Dotwana of not knowing rugby and relying on what he said were white liberal brains to help him.
Matika, who is also EP Rugby Union deputy president, lashed out at the Southern Kings owners because, as a board member, he had not been consulted about Mallett and had read about his involvement in the newspaper.
“We are testing whether the EP Rugby Union, as a minority shareholder, is significant or insignificant,” Matika said in an interview with the Port Elizabeth-based Herald newspaper.
“This is a test case.”
The new owners, called the Greatest Rugby Company in the Whole Wide World, have a 74 percent share and the EPRU 26 percent in the Pro14 franchise.
“After a number of decisions taken by the new owners, we realised this was not what we had been expecting. This was a different animal, but under the name of a black consortium,” Matika told the Herald.
“The first strategic appointment was a white man by the name of Robbie Kempson.
“We debated around that in the board and we were not happy.
“We raised reasons and put up proper arguments that this was not right.
“We challenged this but we were bulldozed because they knew what they wanted.
“He was head-hunted.
“But we said maybe things are going to get better and let’s accept Robbie and all work together.
“Then, in another strategic position, white lady [Leigh Heard] who comes from the Sharks was appointed as chief operating officer. Those were two crucial appointments which demonstrated clearly that we are not moving in the right direction.
“Robbie is the man who is influencing our decision-makers and leaders and they listen to Robbie only.
“We had to fight that.
“I personally know that the chairman of the board, Loyiso Dotwana, does not know about rugby.
“He needed brains to help him about rugby.
“Unfortunately for him, he relies on white liberal brains to support him and we are contesting that.
“I am making sure that when he gets a white voice in the left ear he must get a black voice on the right.
“But it is difficult for us because there is Rory Stear [deputy chair] in one ear and Robbie Kempson in the other ear.
“So we have to shout [to get] attention as a black voice and we are sick and tired of that.
“The bad thing was the way the black coaches, Deon Davids and Chumani Booi, were treated by this franchise – especially Deon, who worked against all odds.
“The last straw was reading that Nick Mallett was here in Port Elizabeth.
“The chairperson has my phone number, but I did not have a clue about that.
“I want to make sure as a board member [that] the committee that will be established to recruit is 70% black and 30% white.
“We will look for black rugby brains – we do have it here in the Eastern Cape.”
By Jan de Koning, with additional reporting by HeraldLIVE
@king365ed
@rugby365com
Comments on RugbyPass
I like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
8 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
8 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
8 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
8 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
3 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to comments