SA flag ban placed on hold after ‘unnecessary hysteria’, says Kodwa

National teams can fly the SA flag and sing the anthem at World Cup matches until the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has ruled on an appeal, says sports minister Zizi Kodwa .

Sanctions placed on South Africa by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) were expected to be enforced on Friday, which would prevent the SA flag from being raised or the anthem being sung ahead of the Springboks’ quarter-final against France at the Rugby World Cup in Paris on Sunday.

The Proteas, meanwhile, were set to face the same fate in their third Cricket World Cup match against Netherlands in India on Tuesday next week.

Court appeal

Kodwa, however, insisted all restrictions placed on the country had been put on hold until CAS made a ruling, following a decision by the SA Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) to file an urgent appeal in an effort to delay the flag ban.

The sanctions were a result of South Africa not updating its anti-doping legislation in line with the WADA code which was amended in 2021.

“The sanctions as it pertains to the flying of the national flag has created unnecessary hysteria, and punished athletes and players unfairly while competing for the pride of our nation,” Kodwa said in a media briefing on Tuesday.

“The findings of appeal will therefore stave off the consequences of non-compliance as it pertains to the flying of the national flag at regional, continental and world championships, and events organised by major event organisations.

“This means the flying of South Africa’s flag at events such as the rugby and cricket World Cups will not be affected until CAS rules on this challenge.”

Long-term solution

In the long run, Kodwa also believed the penalties placed on South Africa would be overturned while the government “fast tracked” the process of updating legislation, in line both with the national constitution and the Wada code.

“I believe the grounds for appeal are strong because the sanctions are not appropriate,” Kodwa said.