Border Rugby Union president and ANC Buffalo City regional secretary Pumlani Mkolo is “disgruntled” by the slow pace of transformation in the Springbok team.
This he said delivering his state of affairs annual report of the provincial union at the end-of-year awards held in Alexander Golf Club in Sunnyridge at the weekend.
Mkolo believes only Border has the potential to change the status quo at SA Rugby Union (Saru).
“Springbok have not delivered to the expected mandate and we are all disgruntled,” he said.
“For Saru to achieve the expected objectives, it needs Border to provide hope and guidance in SA rugby.”
Mkolo said Border was in a better state than it was three years ago when the executive led by him took the reins.
He, however, acknowledged that much still needed to be done to solidify the province as the backbone and producer of African rugby players.
Mkolo said Border Women, by winning the national league three times in succession in an unprecedented fashion, was a success from which the union draws inspiration.
He praised Border women for their “commitment” and sheer hard work, saying they proved that Border was a union of possibilities for rugby-loving people in the Eastern Cape.
“Our women surely are of a special type and special talent.
“The results did not happen by chance, it was a concerted effort by Border to invest in women’s rugby.”
To the contrary, the accolades dished out were shockingly dominated by underperforming Border Bulldogs, with their players walking home with most of the main awards.
This despite Bulldogs having won only three matches from more than 10 this year and finishing at the bottom of the log table in the Currie Cup First Division 2015.
The women, on the other hand, who closed 2015 without a single blemish and became national champions for three occasions back-to-back since 2013 were overlooked.
Bulldogs Lukhanyo Am was named Player of the Year, much to the surprise of many who thought it would go to Border Women’s Zintle Mpupha or Lusanda Dumke who were both at the forefront of their team’s splendid showing in 2015.
Mpupha’s consolation was walking away with the Woman Player of the Year accolade while the explosive try sensation Dumke walked home empty-handed, apparently her only sin being lack of discipline outside the field of play.
Awards ceremony guest speaker, former Bafana Bafana manager Zola Dunywa highlighted Border’s weak financial muscle as a hindrance to the development of rugby players in the Eastern Cape.
Other main awards:
l Prospect of the Year – Sanelisiwe Xozwa (Border Women)
l Team of the Year – Border Women;
lCoach of the Year – Skwiri Nkolonza (Border Women);
l Players’ Player of the Year – Siya Mdaka (Bulldogs);
l Bulldog of the Year – Yanga Xakalashe;
l Club of the Year – Old Boyz;
l Club Player of the Year – Athi Khethani (WSU All Blacks); and
l Most Improved Player of the Year – Lindokuhle Welemu.
Bok transformation under fire
This he said delivering his state of affairs annual report of the provincial union at the end-of-year awards held in Alexander Golf Club in Sunnyridge at the weekend.
Mkolo believes only Border has the potential to change the status quo at SA Rugby Union (Saru).
“Springbok have not delivered to the expected mandate and we are all disgruntled,” he said.
“For Saru to achieve the expected objectives, it needs Border to provide hope and guidance in SA rugby.”
Mkolo said Border was in a better state than it was three years ago when the executive led by him took the reins.
He, however, acknowledged that much still needed to be done to solidify the province as the backbone and producer of African rugby players.
Mkolo said Border Women, by winning the national league three times in succession in an unprecedented fashion, was a success from which the union draws inspiration.
He praised Border women for their “commitment” and sheer hard work, saying they proved that Border was a union of possibilities for rugby-loving people in the Eastern Cape.
“Our women surely are of a special type and special talent.
“The results did not happen by chance, it was a concerted effort by Border to invest in women’s rugby.”
To the contrary, the accolades dished out were shockingly dominated by underperforming Border Bulldogs, with their players walking home with most of the main awards.
This despite Bulldogs having won only three matches from more than 10 this year and finishing at the bottom of the log table in the Currie Cup First Division 2015.
The women, on the other hand, who closed 2015 without a single blemish and became national champions for three occasions back-to-back since 2013 were overlooked.
Bulldogs Lukhanyo Am was named Player of the Year, much to the surprise of many who thought it would go to Border Women’s Zintle Mpupha or Lusanda Dumke who were both at the forefront of their team’s splendid showing in 2015.
Mpupha’s consolation was walking away with the Woman Player of the Year accolade while the explosive try sensation Dumke walked home empty-handed, apparently her only sin being lack of discipline outside the field of play.
Awards ceremony guest speaker, former Bafana Bafana manager Zola Dunywa highlighted Border’s weak financial muscle as a hindrance to the development of rugby players in the Eastern Cape.
Other main awards:
l Prospect of the Year – Sanelisiwe Xozwa (Border Women)
l Team of the Year – Border Women;
lCoach of the Year – Skwiri Nkolonza (Border Women);
l Players’ Player of the Year – Siya Mdaka (Bulldogs);
l Bulldog of the Year – Yanga Xakalashe;
l Club of the Year – Old Boyz;
l Club Player of the Year – Athi Khethani (WSU All Blacks); and
l Most Improved Player of the Year – Lindokuhle Welemu.
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