/ 15 February 1999

PLAYER TO SUE RUGBY UNION

AN injured rugby player is set to make South African legal history by suing his provincial union under the provisions of the Labour Relations Act after his contract was suspended when he disclosed an injury. Centre Kosie van Vuuren’s contract was suspended after he informed the Mpumalanga Rugby Union his shoulder was injured, the Sunday Times reports. The South African Rugby Player’s Association (Sarpa) has given the rugby union notice that it will take court action to have Van Vuuren’s contract reinstated. This is the first time Sarpa will take action on behalf of a member. The case will be closely watched both by players and unions, as it will be an interesting test as to what obligations a union has towards an injured player.