A new survey by the Institute of Race Relations (IRR), a think tank based in Johannesburg, shows that nearly all South Africans believe national sports teams should be selected on merit rather than race.

The data comes from a new report by the IRR, Pro-Growth or Pro-Poverty: Race and Race Relations in South Africa, which will be released at the end of this month.

According to the IRR 92% of respondents said team selection should be based purely on performance.

The findings cut across all racial groups, with 92% of black and coloured South Africans, 86% of Indian South Africans, and 93% of white South Africans supporting merit-only selection. The IRR says the results represent a clear public rejection of government-imposed racial quotas in sport.

Hermann Pretorius, the IRR’s Head of Strategic Communications, said the data shows: “South Africans have had enough of being divided by race” and want players chosen: “through talent, discipline, and performance.” He urged Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie to take note of the results, saying they have: “enormous relevance” for his portfolio.

The full polling report also details broader findings on race relations in South Africa, the results of which will be released at its launch in two weeks.