Apartheid might have ended in 1994, but for South Africa racial equalisation is still an on-going problem, particularly when it comes to representation in the nation’s sporting teams.
Though a mere 9.1% of the country is white (according to the 2011 census), the national cricket teams have historically been dominated by white players.
But overnight, Cricket South Africa ratified new selection policies that will see strict racial quotas enforced on Proteas sides moving forward, as it strives to achieve an ambitious target of 54% black representation.
The new policies mean that all national cricketing teams from South Africa will be required to field at least 6 black players moving forward. Or, in other words, it effectively limits the amount of white players that can be fielded in any given side to a maximum of 5.
The quotas also enforce an 18% (or 2 player) selection mandate for black African players.
The targets will be measured as a total average taken on all sides selected in three forms of the game (test, one-day, and Twenty20) across an entire season.
CSA stated that the quotas were very attainable, and pointed out the fact that the national test side is already meeting them; the South African side that defeated New Zealand in a test match in Centurion last week featured black African players Temba Bavuma and Kagiso Rabada, and POC players Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Vernon Philander, and Dane Piedt. The one-day international side that competed in a tri-series tournament against Australia and the West Indies featured up to 8 non-white players.
The change has come about after South African sports minister Fikile Mbalula singled the sport out as being particularly slow in the push for racial transformation within the country.
Domestic competition in South Africa has already had racial selection quotas applied for the past two years, with a minimum six black players (including 3 black African players) required for sides. The national team has had an informal target of four players in past seasons, but this will be the first time the quota will be enforceable.
Selectors and officials for the South African team have welcomed the new rules, pointing out the fact that the quota is taken on averages means they retain selection flexibility to adapt to a range of circumstances.
South Africa is scheduled to take on Australia in a 5-game ODI series in South Africa beginning on September 30th, before shifting to our shores for a three test series from November 3rd.
Source: Cricket.com.au.
Photo: Gallo Images/Getty.
