Bok emblem under threat
Over a century of history: South African rugby is set to lose their famous springbok
The head of South Africa's Parliamentary Sports Committee has called for the abolishment of the Springbok rugby emblem as it is "divisive" to the country.
The national team's rugby jerseys are set to sport a flower instead of a Springbok next year if plans to ditch the iconic emblem are to go ahead.
Rugby's coporate sponsors and their hallowed symbol, the Springbok, came under fire from delegates at the first day of a two-day National Sports Indaba held in Durban on Thursday.
Sports Portfolio Committee chairman Butana Komphela told delegates that the Springbok "divides us".
"We have a responsibility to unite our country on one national emblem," he said.
"Minister, I want you to observe the arrogance of white people on the Springbok emblem."
Komphela said that there could be "no negotiation" on the Springbok emblem.
When the floor was opened to the delegates, many speakers called for a resolution removing the Springbok emblem to be passsed as soon as possible.
"My view is that emblems are not matters of life and death," said Sports minister Makhenkesi Stofile.
He said that his view was that there should be one national emblem, which all sporting codes would endorse.
Komphela said that the Sharks franchise's failure to wear "Say no to racism" on their jerseys was nothing but "rampant racism" on the part of (sponsor) Mr Price.
"Dealing with the legacy of apartheid cannot be dealt with by market forces," he said.
South African Rugby Union (SARU) chief executive Johan Prinsloo said that he could not participate in the debate on the emblem as he had not been authorised to do so and the Springbok emblem had not originally been on the agenda of the Indaba.
"The South African Rugby Union's representatives to the National Sports Indaba in Durban have noted the concerns and opinions of some of their fellow delegates regarding the use of the Springbok emblem. Those concerns will be reported back to the President's Council for careful consideration," SA Rugby said in a statement.
Last year, when a similar debate arose, SA Rugby said that the commercial value of the brand was too great to contemplate giving up and that it would fight to retain it should such a decision be taken.