News: A South African World Cup rugby union player is considering legal action over treatment he received at a pre-tournament training camp, according to newspaper reports yesterday.
Piet Heymans, chief executive of the South African Rugby Football Players' Association (SARPA), told the Cape Times: "We are waiting for opinion and the player will make a decision based on what the lawyers say.
"The little information we have suggests there is a case for human rights violations."
South Africa's rigorous preparations for the World Cup have been headline news since the team returned home after being knocked out by New Zealand in the quarter-finals. The training camp has since earned the nickname 'Kamp Staaldraad'.
On Sunday a popular television programme showed video footage of naked players in freezing water trying to pump rugby balls. They were also forced to drag sections of railway tracks as well as ammunition boxes filled with sand while naked and in searing heat.
Sports minister Ngconde Balfour has called for a meeting with SA Rugby bosses to discuss the issue.
The deputy chief executive of SA Rugby, Songezo Nayo stated yeaterday he had not seen the television programme but added: "I have seen the pictures in the newspaper. I am seeking explanations but I do not have the luxury of a gut feel about what went on until I have all the facts.
"At this stage we have not been served papers by lawyers, but I'm waiting to see what happens."
The camp was reportedly the brainchild of a former special services operative who acted as the team's security adviser.
Organisers of the 2007 World Cup in France plan to make the tournament one week shorter.
Jacques Laurans, one of the five directors of the 2007 World Cup, said yesterday that all 20 teams could expect to play every five days in the pool stage.
In this year's tournament in Australia the top teams played every seven days. Less-fancied teams played more frequently.
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