Springbok team manager Zola Yeye yesterday refuted media reports that coach Jake White had been instructed not to talk to the media against his will.
Springbok team manager Zola Yeye yesterday refuted media reports that coach Jake White had been instructed not to talk to the media against his will.
In a statement issued from the team training camp in Bloemfontein, Yeye said a television station and a newspaper group incorrectly reported that White had been gagged, when that was not the case.
"It is an unfortunate choice of words on the part of those journalists, and failure to give context to what we are trying to communicate," said Yeye.
"What we said was that there was no need for the Springbok camp to steal the limelight from an even more important event this coming weekend, which is the Vodacom Super 14 final in Durban.
"The time for Jake to talk about his team is next week, when he starts preparations for the England Test. By all accounts, South Africa needs to focus on the positive story unfolding in its rugby history - the fact that we have two teams in the final, on home soil.
"This week should not be about the Springboks, but the Vodacom Bulls and the Sharks.
"It's only fair on all the parties involved, including the players in the final, the fans and the sponsors.
"The Springbok team will be in a better position to talk about its plans next week. It's as simple as that," Yeye said.
Yeye said the Springbok management and players in camp wished the teams in the final the best of luck. - Sapa
'White has not been gagged'
Springbok team manager Zola Yeye yesterday refuted media reports that coach Jake White had been instructed not to talk to the media against his will.
Springbok team manager Zola Yeye yesterday refuted media reports that coach Jake White had been instructed not to talk to the media against his will.
In a statement issued from the team training camp in Bloemfontein, Yeye said a television station and a newspaper group incorrectly reported that White had been gagged, when that was not the case.
"It is an unfortunate choice of words on the part of those journalists, and failure to give context to what we are trying to communicate," said Yeye.
"What we said was that there was no need for the Springbok camp to steal the limelight from an even more important event this coming weekend, which is the Vodacom Super 14 final in Durban.
"The time for Jake to talk about his team is next week, when he starts preparations for the England Test. By all accounts, South Africa needs to focus on the positive story unfolding in its rugby history - the fact that we have two teams in the final, on home soil.
"This week should not be about the Springboks, but the Vodacom Bulls and the Sharks.
"It's only fair on all the parties involved, including the players in the final, the fans and the sponsors.
"The Springbok team will be in a better position to talk about its plans next week. It's as simple as that," Yeye said.
Yeye said the Springbok management and players in camp wished the teams in the final the best of luck. - Sapa
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