Teboho ‘Oupa’ Mohoje looks on during Springbok training

The player at the centre of a race storm surrounding the Springboks says he has no choice but to ignore the controversy created by his selection.

Rookie breakaway Teboho “Oupa” Mohoje was named ahead of 71-Test veteran Schalk Burger to start against the Wallabies this weekend and was thrust headlong into a fierce debate over the politics surrounding rugby in South Africa.

Sydney Morning Herald

With just one Test appearance off the bench and one season in Super Rugby with the Cheetahs, Mohoje’s selection for a game on which the Springboks’ No.2 ranking hinges prompted speculation about political interference from the South African Rugby Union.

Mohoje in action for the Cheetahs. Photo: Getty Images
Springboks coach Heyneke Meyer rejected suggestions he had been under pressure to select the Cheetahs back-rower, and Mohoje, 24, said he did not doubt his coach’s motivations.

“I was selected here on merit, the coach told me that. He said ‘I am selecting you on merit,’ ” he said.

Asked how he felt about the danger that his skills as an athlete were being overlooked in the midst of the wider race debate, Mohoje said: “Does it disturb me? The main point is not to read too much into it, because if you do read too much into it, it will affect you.

“You obviously do read [the comments and debate], but you can’t take it into your head.”

The issue of racial quotas has been bubbling away for some time, but three weeks ago – the day after South Africa’s narrow loss to the Wallabies in Perth – a leaked internal document revealed SARU was targeting a 45 per cent quota of black players in the Springboks by 2019.

It is a substantial increase from the side’s current average of 16 per cent this year and 12 per cent in the Rugby Championship to date.

This week, Meyer called up three non-white players – Nizaam Carr, Seabelo Senatla and Lizo Gqoboka – to train with the squad, a method he has used before to expose young players to the Test environment.

But in the midst of talk of quotas, which are proposed for every level of the sport in South Africa, from the grassroots to the Springboks, all levels of coaching and SARU administration, Meyer was forced to deny he had selected his No.7 in response to political pressure.

“There’s really no pressure,” Meyer said. “I will pick the guys who I believe are the best.

“Oupa’s good in the lineout and a strong ball-carrier.

“[He] has really come on in leaps and bounds this year. I’ve been really impressed with his physicality and his athleticism.”

SARU released a statement after Wednesday’s team announcement, maintaining the leaked document, titled “Transformation Strategic Plan”, was the result of “many months” of work and was not yet in its final form.

“SARU began this process in November 2012 with a Transformation Indaba (Collaboration for Change) at which all members were present,” the union said.

“Many months have subsequently been spent in an exhaustive series of audits and workshops with all members over a Strategic Transformation Plan.

“It has been a comprehensive and positive process to address a critical business and socio-economic risk facing rugby – one that to ignore would put the sport at peril.”

The union also pointed out the draft plan had been approved “in principle” by all 14 member unions in August.

“Four provinces expressed concerns over the cost of implementing the proposals or whether the targets should be measured only nationally or at a province-by-province level.

“However, none of them opposed the document in principle.”

Nicknamed “Oupa” as a child, which means “grandfather” in Afrikaans, because of a patch of grey in his hair, Mohoje replaces Francois Louw, who underwent surgery at the weekend to alleviate pressure on a nerve in his neck.

Burger will be an able replacement from the bench, and was a strategic selection alongside fellow veterans Bakkies Botha, Bismarck du Plessis and JP Pietersen, Meyer said.

The Springboks have lost their past two clashes with Australia and the All Blacks but had chances to win both Tests late in the game.

“We felt we needed a couple of cool and experienced heads late in our matches and that is where Bakkies, Schalk, JP, Pat Lambie and Bismarck du Plessis will play a vital role – all of them have more than 30 [Test] caps,” Meyer said.