The South African government missed the deadline to update its anti-doping act to comply with the latest WADA code. The revised code, which came into effect in January 2021, was agreed upon and accepted by more than 700 sporting federations across the globe.
The Springboks might not be able to participate under the South African flag or sing the national anthem at awards ceremonies because the country has not passed anti-doping legislation according to WADA.
Speculation of the Springboks not playing under the national flag does not bother South Africa scrum coach Daan Human:
“I’m not too sure a hundred per cent what’s happening there, I can’t really comment on it. All I can know is the Springboks players are one hundred per cent focussed on the job, on what needs to be done this week. I don’t think there’s focus on jerseys whatsoever.
“I doesn’t matter in which colour jersey, or a jersey without a flag on or even without the national anthem, I can tell you and I can assure you of one thing, the boys who are here - the 53, our whole squad here who represent South Africa - they represent 60 million people back home and they’re willing to fight for them. I can assure you of that.”