The recent behaviour of some sports administrators in South Africa proves just how out of touch they are with the very sports they are supposed to be fostering, writes Rob Peters.

It was quite a weekend for sports in South Africa and an even bigger one for sports administrators. ASA officials are feeling the heat more than ever now that they have been thrown out in the cold by Sascoc, while the sports ministry finally proved that they never actually watch Springbok Test matches.

How else can you explain the 18 months it took them to realise that 'Beast' Mtawarira was playing for the Boks?

There is no other way to comprehend how they failed to notice the Beast shoving Phil Vickery's head through his backside during the first Test in the Lions series this year. Nor can you explain them not hearing the cries of 'Bee--aast!' ringing out in stadiums across the country every time he latched onto the ball in his 19 Test matches for South Africa.

19 Test matches, 18 months, and only now they notice a Zimbabwean is playing for the Boks. Then they ask how can that possibly happen? What that indicates is a lack of understanding of the eligibility laws that govern rugby.

It's not a surprise, certainly, but concerning just the same.

ASA's reign of fear

But while the Beast saga ? thankfully it only lasted the weekend ? was concerning and spoke volumes for the state of sports officialdom in SA, the latest accusations levelled at the ASA officials, including president Leonard Chuene, are horrific.

The sports ministry may be out of touch, but it appears the big wigs at ASA are simply out of their minds.

Slapping athletes for stepping out of line, marginalising white coaches, shopping sprees and ruling through fear, are alleged to have transpired in recent times. Athletes, and a number of coaches, have lost faith in the administration and since the Caster Semenya debacle they are now starting to step forward.

That it took the Semenya ruckus to finally open this particularly rank can of worms is sad in itself, but perhaps we can be happy the lid has finally been popped. Now all that needs to happen is for the ASA officials ? starting with Chuene ? to face the music and be booted out of South African sports forever.

Any takers on that actually happening? Didn?t think so...

  • I am keen to hear your thoughts on both these matters. Feel free to email me at or leave your comments below.