Okay...let me try to make some sense of this...
According to the 2011 census, Blacks make up 79.2% of the population, with those who consider themselves Coloured making up an additional 8.9%, Asians 2.5%, Unspecified 0.5%, and Whites 8.9%.
If SA rugby is going to survive they MUST do something to bring more black players into the sport (and with the black players will eventually come the black fans). If they don't, then the sport will always be viewed by the majority of South Africans as a white sport, and as the white population in SA continues to decline (down from 22% of the population a hundred years ago), so will interest in the game.
I totally get it. They are starting out at the lower levels, trying to grow interest in the game among the younger generations. They have a huge task ahead of them - they are competing with football - but rugby does have some advantages. IF - IF they promote the game as a status symbol much like the middle and lower classes worldwide view certain types of jewelry, autos, phones, haircuts, clothing - you name it - as symbols of affluence and success (even when they are not in possession of such), then interest in the game might catch on among the masses. And tapping into the whole World Rugby 'building character' angle can also be a motivator among those who want to prove that they have what it takes to play the game.
It will take a good advertising campaign, both nationwide and locally, 'selling' the sport to schools, youth groups, and social organizations. It will take money, too, to help the aforementioned get the gear necessary to play the game.
I don't see this as a threat to white players; the demographics of the country show the pool for white players is dwindling. If rugby is to survive in the country, then steps must be taken to grow interest in the game in other ethnic pools, and since the largest of those is that of the Black population, it only makes sense to strive to tap into that. And soon. Very soon. Otherwise in a few decades you won't have enough white players to make a front row, let alone an entire team.
Will it affect the team? Sure. There are going to be some bumps along the way, maybe even some setbacks. Most white players have practically been born into the sport, with their fathers and grandfathers showing them the way. This is going to be a new ballgame for black players - literally. It's not football, that's for sure. Rugby is more demanding in many ways, requiring strong bodies as well as fast legs, and - and I'm not sure if this is an issue - but it also requires a lot of physical contact with other men, something some youths might have trouble adjusting to. (Side thought - I've always thought this might be a problem with growing rugby in the US because most men here are not the huggy-touchy types, so the idea of rolling around on the ground with a bunch of guys is something the 'sensitive' English do, but NOT Americans...lol...)
Bottom line for me is this - it can be done, and it must be done. White players and fans may not be thrilled with the idea, but they also need to face the fact that without drawing more black players (and hopefully black fans along with them) into the game, rugby will die a lingering and painful death in South Africa.
das