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Pretoria/Nagpur: South Africa’s sports minister has banned the national rugby and cricket federations from bidding for or hosting major international tournaments for at least a year over their failures to create opportunities for black players.
Minister Fikile Mbalula made the announcement on Monday after receiving a report on “transformation” in South Africa’s five biggest sports: Rugby, cricket, soccer, athletics and netball.
The athletics and netball federations also were banned from bidding. Soccer was the only one to meet its target.
Mbalula said in a statement: “I have therefore resolved to revoke the privilege of Athletics South Africa (ASA), Cricket South Africa (CSA), Netball South Africa (NSA) and South African rugby (SARU) to host and bid for major and mega international tournaments.”
Mbalula said he would review his decision next year. It could prevent South Africa from bidding for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
