Cronje cleared of racist motives

News: South Africa lock Geo Cronje has been exonerated of racial motivation in his decision to move out of the room he was to…

News: South Africa lock Geo Cronje has been exonerated of racial motivation in his decision to move out of the room he was to share with black team-mate Quinton Davids before last year's World Cup.

The investigation by Koos Basson, chairman of the South African Rugby Football Union (SARFU) disciplinary committee, confirmed the findings of an initial inquiry, which had been unable to find proof of racism.

In a statement following the release of the 26-page report, SARFU chief executive Mveleli Ncula said: "The Basson report concludes that there was no factual element of racism present in the swapping of rooms by Springbok players, or otherwise, at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria last year."

Basson also recommended no action be taken over the controversial Kamp Staaldraad (Camp Barbed Wire) training exercise for the World Cup, arguing such action would be fruitless because the camp organisers were no longer employed by SARFU.

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Video footage was released in November showing naked Springboks performing military-style team-building tasks as well as being crammed into an earth pit overnight.

Springbok coach Rudolf Straeuli, who oversaw the camp, resigned in December.