will South Africans be deprived of their flag and anthem?

The news came as the Springboks are quietly preparing for the rest of the Rugby World Cup in their base camp, in the Var. South Africa has until October 14 to comply with the regulations of the World Anti-Doping Agency, WADA, which found several breaches. The South Africans could play against France in the quarter-final, if the Blues win against Italy on Friday October 6.

>> Rugby World Cup: the Springboks, a story linked to arpatheid in South Africa

But an unexpected threat weighs on the Springboks because the country’s anti-doping legislation is no longer compliant. The government in Pretoria has still not ratified the new WADA code updated two years ago. This text harmonizes the means of combating doping at the global level.

Already suspicions in recent years

WADA therefore threatens the country with heavy sanctions: the end of funding, the ban on hosting international competitions on its soil and, more symbolically, the ban on raising the flag or singing the anthem from the start. next week for the possible quarter-final against France. This anthem taken up at full blast by the Springboks since the start of the World Cup.

If these threats are carried out, the captain’s teammates Siya Kolisi would evolve under the neutral banner. This episode reveals the complicated, some would say ambiguous, relationship between South Africa and the fight against doping. Suspicions having often accompanied the performances of the reigning world champions in recent years.