South Africa today banned the national rugby and cricket federations from bidding for or hosting major international tournaments for at least a year over their failures to create opportunities for black players. Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula made the announcement after receiving a report on 'transformation' in South Africa's five biggest sports, Rugby, cricket, soccer, athletics and netball. The athletics and netball federations were also banned from bidding.The South African government has been pushing for years for the country's main sports, especially rugby and cricket, to create more opportunities for black players.Mr. Mbalula said more than two decades after the end of apartheid, these two sports are still generally dominated by whites despite the fact that blacks make up over 80 percent of South Africa's population.