Boks slam display of old South Africa flag

Springbok team management have condemned the number of old South African flags that were on view during their tour of Ireland and England and upon their return home yesterday.

The old South African flag, consisting of orange, white and blue stripes, was done away with after the demise of Apartheid, but several people were seen waving them during the Springboks' final tour match, against a World XV in Leicester on Sunday.

A couple of flags greeted the team's first black captain, Chiliboy Ralepelle, at Johannesburg's international airport yesterday.

The Star quoted Springbok team manager Zola Yeye as saying the flags had been "sadly prominent" in England and on their return home.

"It was embarrassing to see so many of the flags being waved around," said Yeye.

"It seemed to us that these people are hellbent on ignoring the strides our democracy has made.

"Look at this Springbok team. These are young men of 23 and 24 and they don't want to be subjected to memories of the Apartheid system.

"I would like to say to those people who wave the old flag, these men don't care about your political beliefs or your ideology."