THE presidents of three of the largest unions in South African rugby were brought into the game’s national governing body on Wednesday to help calm growing unrest in the sport.
Harold Verster of Free State, Piet Olivier of the Blue Bulls and Mluleki George of Border were co-opted on to the executive of the South African Rugby Football Union (Sarfu). Their elevation is part of an agreement earlier this month to allay fears of provinces that they are being marginalised in the running of the game. The trio’s promotion was hastened by a meeting of 11 dissident provinces — all but three of the total number of South African provinces — in Johannesburg at the end of March which was attended by controversial former Sarfu president Louis Luyt. His presence fuelled reports that he might attempt a comeback. Luyt was forced to resign in 1998 after he launched a damaging court action against former state president Nelson Mandela.
His challenge led to threats of a return to the sporting boycott of the Springboks. Luyt resigned when his support crumbled during the crisis. Both George and Verster have previously served as members of the SARFU executive.