Share

Quota system will end Bok glory days - Mains

Cape Town - Former All Blacks and Cats Super Rugby coach, Laurie Mains, has slammed South Africa's emphasis on quotas in rugby, saying that the Springboks' best days are behind them. 

In an interview with foxsports.com.au, Mains did not hold back. 

Mains believes that the Springboks' days of being top competitors on the international stage are over and that the quota system is the main reason why. 

New Bok coach Allister Coetzee has been told that half of his squad must be made up of players of colour by the 2019 World Cup. 

Mains, the All Blacks coach at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, was in charge of the Cats in Super Rugby for two years in 2000 and 2001. 

"When I coached over there I could see the reason for it (a quota system)," Mains said.

"It was a genuine attempt to create opportunities for the black and coloured players and I respected that, because there hadn’t been big numbers of them.

"But heavens above, that’s 15 years ago."

Mains believes that the current Bok side should be picked on merit alone and that, in his mind, all players in South Africa have had an equal chance to develop over the past 15-18 years. 

Mains' prediction for the future of the Springboks was equally hard-hitting. 

"For my money they’re gone, with racially selecting teams, they’re not going to cut it," Mains said.

"With the quota system they have, I think the days of them being top competitors are over."

The Springboks are next in action when the Rugby Championship begins on August 20.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2244 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE