KEY POINTS:
PARIS - There are few more powerful images in South African sport than that of former president Nelson Mandela presenting the Webb Ellis Cup to captain Francois Pienaar after the 1995 World Cup final.
In what served as a lasting symbol of reconciliation, Mandela wore a replica Springboks jersey emblazoned with the same number six that Pienaar had on his back.
Mandela's inspired gesture helped encourage more non-white players to take up rugby but progress has been slow and the majority of the team that will start Saturday's World Cup final against England will be white.
South African rugby officials have made it clear they would like to see more non-white players in the Springboks team, but the jury is still out on the best way to achieve that.
"It's not about changes, it's about plans," South African team manager Zola Yeye told reporters on Wednesday.
"I don't want to talk about big changes and say something like that, because it becomes so ominous when you talk about big changes, as if the sky is going to fall.
"When you transform, sometimes it becomes painful, sometimes it becomes joyous, so that's the nature of the beast."
Claims of racism have dogged South African rugby for years.
As recently as 2003, Afrikaner Geo Cronje was called before a tribunal to answer racism charges after he asked to swap rooms after being asked to share with black Quentin Davids at a pre-World Cup training camp.
An independent investigation into racism in rugby was ordered but then cancelled. However, the push for change is accelerating.
WORK IN PROGRESS
South African media have already speculated the most likely change is the introduction of "quotas" - whereby the Springboks would field a minimum number of non-white players - from as early next season.
"It's a work in progress," Yeye said.
"As life goes on, we need to shed some of the things that have happened, so that tomorrow will be charged by history.
"Our country is a democracy, it's a new dispensation, it's moving on, it's transforming itself as it goes on.
"This team is not customised for any kind of race group within our society.
"We're a diverse society in South Africa, so what is important is for us to meet those unmet needs."
There have also been rumours that the next coach will be black, fuelled in part by Jake White's recent comments that Saturday's World Cup final would almost certainly be his last in charge, but Yeye insists nothing has been decided yet.
"Whatever team, whether soccer, rugby or cricket, mirrors our society, becomes a true reflection of our society," he said.
"We may not achieve that 100 per cent, because nothing is 100 per cent in life, so it's important that at least we don't do things that clash as the people of South Africa.
"Whatever we do, we have to do it prudently.
"Role models come out of sport, so it's really important that we take heed of that and we empower and affirm our youth. Life is an opportunity - let everybody benefit from it."
- REUTERS
