A strange situation is looming for South Africa at the Rugby World Cup. The country, under threat of suspension from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), could be deprived of its national anthem and flag.
Barring a catastrophe, South Africa is set to face France in the quarter-finals of the 2023 Rugby World Cup.That is, unless Scotland beat Ireland by a landslide in their final group match in Pool B. However, according to Le Parisien, the Springboks may not have an anthem or flag when they face the French XV. And even for the rest of the competition
On September 23, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) held a meeting in Shanghai, China. During the meeting, the agency updated its list of prohibited products. In addition, South Africa was censured for failing to comply with the World Anti-Doping Code. In its press release, WADA announced that two National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADOs) were not in compliance with the Code."The NADOs in question are those of Bermuda and South Africa. The South African government thus failed to meet the deadline set for amending a drug-free sports law. The latter has been obsolete since 2021.
Furthermore, according to article 9.3.1 of the International Standard for Code Compliance by Signatories (SICCS), South Africa has 21 days to reply. This will take them to October 13, the eve of the quarter-finals weekend. And with a suspension hanging over them, the South Africans will be deprived of their flag and anthem.
😔 South Africa has less than 10 days to comply with the World Anti-Doping Code or the Springboks will be unable to fly the country’s flag at the #RWC2023
The SA government has not met a deadline to amend the outdated drug-free sport act to comply with the latest World… pic.twitter.com/vkdomG2S2V
— Jared Wright (@jaredwright17) October 4, 2023
