World Rugby has said it is “satisfied” the participation of the team in the Mzansi Challenge posed a legitimate security threat
The global governing body for rugby has concluded that a decision made by the South African Rugby Union (SARU) to disinvite the Israeli team, Tel Aviv Heat, from an international competition last month was not discriminatory, but justified by security threats, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) reported on Thursday.
World Rugby reportedly based its verdict on public reactions to the Israeli team’s initial invitation, which included a Facebook post warning of a potential “blood bath” and a statement from the South African Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) coalition claiming that SARU would “have blood on its hands” if the Heat participated in the tournament.
In February, SARU withdrew the Tel Aviv Heat from competing in the March 24 Rugby Mzansi Challenge, pointing to security concerns. The union’s…