Players are not colours - Burger

Former rugby star Jacques Burger, who captained the national team to some of their most epic performances, has spat venom at the Namibian Rugby Union (NRU), saying the players standing against the union are “not colours”.

He was reacting to the current standoff between the NRU and business wing, Namibia Rugby Limited (NRL), which has also embroiled senior rugby players.

Burger took to social media recently to express his feelings.

In a Facebook post published on Monday, Burger wrote: “Let's get one thing straight. The players all stood together against the incompetent NRU. All of them. This is not a racial issue because it's far from it. We are tight as a group, regardless of ethnicity. We are Namibian rugby players, not colours.”

Burger said further he has kept quiet for too long.

“For too long I've kept quiet and watched how certain NRU individuals do nothing to better Namibian rugby and every four years they sneak their way into a position where they can go on that all-inclusive holiday called the Rugby World Cup. No ambition to be great. Just content on being mediocre.”

The player warned that If Namibia gets thrown out of the World Cup, it will never have the opportunity to play in the spectacle again.

“Rugby in Namibia will die slowly.”

He believes there are quality rugby players and quality youngsters in Namibia.

Burger said the country needs a selfless NRU, “with a bit of vision to invest in Namibia's young and experienced players”.

“What's stopping us from pushing for a top 15 spot on the World Rugby rankings? You know who,” the player fumed.

In an earlier post on 28 September, Burger also expressed frustration.

“The Namibian Rugby Union is threatening to ban players from standing up against the corrupt NRU board.

“The game of rugby will become extinct in Namibia at this rate.”

This follows vicious infighting between the NRL and NRU over who exactly controls local rugby.

The NRU is arguing the NRL is trying to control rugby affairs, given the financial influence it has.

The NRL is said to have influenced the appointment of coaches and management committees for the national team.

The two parties signed a contract that purportedly favoured the NRL.

Last week NRU council members - representing the chairmen and presidents of clubs countrywide affiliated to the union - said on 7 April during an annual general meeting (AGM) the NRU put in place a new board to run its affairs.

During a heated media conference, the council, represented by Keith Allies (Western Suburbs) and Christie Windvogel (Unam), said NRL should adhere to the union's constitution as well as the Sports Act, and not involve itself in the mandate of the NRU.

“The people who signed the agreement (former president Bradley Basson and former vice-president Petrie Theron) signed this cooperation agreement on behalf of the NRU on 16 February, which was backdated to 12 February,” Allies said.

“We would never have agreed to such an evil agreement, because this corporation agreement nullifies the whole purpose of the NRU as the governing body of rugby in Namibia.”

Allies also voiced a stern warning to players who are campaigning in favour of the NRL.

“It is worrisome that while efforts are underway to resolve the stalemate, our players led by Rohan Kitshoff (a former national captain, who is currently injured) are supporting the company and disregarding their respective clubs, even though they are members of the NRU.

“It seems like Kitshoff with suspected third forces are behind threats to protest against matches. The players should know that we are aware of those has-beens who already played at the World Cup and who want to influence the inexperienced for their own agendas.

“Players who threaten not to partake in friendlies are bringing the game into disrepute and they will be disciplined according to the constitution,” Allies fumed.

A player, who chose to remain anonymous, said he was also dismayed by the ongoing problems.

“Well we all fear for our positions now, because it appears as if things are not going to get any better.

“I am not even able to say who I am, because we were given a stern warning to stay away from all these shenanigans.

“We are, however, not pleased with what is happening and we hope that it will not destroy our World Cup dream and Namibian rugby,” he said.

Jesse Jackson Kauraisa