Eastern Province Rugby Boss Maasdorp Cannon Charged for Saying That SA Rugby, Springbok Emblem Is 'Racist'

• The Eastern Province Rugby Union's newly-elected president Maasdorp Cannon's controversial comments have landed him in hot water
• Speaking at the funeral of a former rugby player, Cannon alleged that the South African rugby establishment, as well as the Springbok emblem, were still 'racist'
• This did not sit well with the bigwigs at the South African Rugby Union, who charged him as a result of these utterances

New Eastern Province Rugby Union president Maasdorp Cannon began his tenure as a leader in the worst way possible.

Cannon made allegations of racism against the South African rugby establishment. Pouring more petrol on the fire, Cannon also said that the Springbok emblem donned by all national rugby teams still represented racism.

As reported by rugby365com, Cannon made the inflammatory comments at the funeral of former old-SARU prop Godfrey Thorn, who passed away in February at the age of 63. The article stated that seven charges had been levelled against him, which include contravening the SARU Constitution and Code of Conduct.

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Athletics

The City Press quoted Cannon as saying:

“Stand up in the name of Godfrey, stand up. My plea is that we must turn the South African rugby landscape upside down. I did not come back to support the South African rugby establishment, because it is still very much racist.

"I know there are people who are happy to support the apartheid emblem, the racist emblem – the Springbok. My argument is, that emblem is equal to that flag that was waved when we made a compromise in 1995. It has the same expression; it’s racist.”

The HeraldLIVE also reported that a viral video of Cannon's comments was going to be used by SARU for evidentiary purposes when his disciplinary hearing takes place. To complicate matters, SA Rugby Magazine reported that Cannon is "an ardent supporter" of New Zealand rugby team, the All Blacks.

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The South African Rugby Union's president Mark Alexander says its embattled chief executive officer Jurie Roux cannot be suspended because his alleged transgressions at the University of Stellenbosch took place before he joined the organisation.

As reported by Sports Brief, Alexander was speaking before parliament's Sports Portfolio Committee earlier today, where Roux's continued employment by SARU - a controversial and indefensible issue - was raised.

Roux was taken to the Western Cape High Court by his former employers, the University of Stellenbosch, over his role in transferring of funds from a university account to the rugby club without permission.