'Undermined, patronised' Ashwin Willemse walks off TV show
Updated | By AFP
Former South Africa winger Ashwin Willemse stormed out of a live Super Rugby TV show Saturday, saying he was "undermined" and "patronised" by fellow analysts Nick Mallett and Naas Botha.
The incident happened as the trio were reviewing a match in which Golden Lions defeated ACT Brumbies 42-24 at Ellis Park in Johannesburg.
Asked to comment on the game, Willemse said "he cannot work with people who undermine other people".
He also spoke of being called a "quota" Springbok, referring to a defunct system that ensured a certain number of black players were chosen for national teams.
Willemse added on air that he "refused to be patronised by two individuals who played in an apartheid/segregated era."
VIDEO: Ashwin Willemse slams Nick Mallett and Naas Botha before walking off the SuperSport set. pic.twitter.com/iYl0yRFfUu
— SA Rugby magazine (@SARugbymag) May 19, 2018
Neither Botha nor Mallett used the word "quota" during the show.
Blacks were barred from representing the Springboks during apartheid and the majority of the current side is white despite 90 percent of the population being black.
Botha and Mallett, both former Springboks with the latter also having coached the team, are white and Willemse black.
Broadcasters SuperSport said "they were aware of the on-air incident and are looking into the matter".
SuperSport is aware of the on-air incident and is looking into the matter.
— SuperSport (@SuperSportTV) May 19, 2018
SuperSport views this incident in a serious light - we will conduct a full investigation and interview all relevant individuals.
— SuperSport (@SuperSportTV) May 19, 2018
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