The South African Rugby Players Association (Sarpa) has hit back after a media report portrayed their members as greedy.
Sarpa’s Piet Heymans was responding to a front page article in the Afrikaans Sunday newspaper Rapport in which SA Rugby Football Union’s (Sarfu) new president Brian van Rooyen lashed out at Springbok players who complained about money.
Players say that the new Sarfu structures have refused to renew contracts for 2004 that they were promised by former coach Rudolf Straeuli.
Van Rooyen responded that the Springboks who were complaining were greedy. He said the Boks earned an average minimum of R500 000 each for playing Test rugby last year. ”What for?” he is reported to have said.
”The kind of rugby they produced was not only a disappointment for us, but for the public as well.”
Heymans responded on Sunday: ”Sadly it would seem as if nothing has changed in the running of South African rugby. The information in the media report, regarding the amounts of money a player can earn, is not reflected correctly.”
Van Rooyen was quoted as saying that a Springbok could earn as much as R2-million in a season.
”Most Boks earn about R750 000 from their province for the year. Then Sarfu pays each player (except for the Sharks) R30 000 a month if they play in the Super 12 competition. Then there’s an extra R825 000 in their pockets if they play in all 11 Tests this year.”
Van Rooyen said he did not mind paying up. ”But then it must be for good performances.”
”Springbok players do not on average earn the amounts mentioned,” retorted Heymans.
”Furthermore it is incorrect that Sarfu pays players extra to play Super 12 rugby and most players do not play in all the Tests each year. Some of the Boks earn half the amounts quoted from their provinces.”
Heymans stressed that SA Rugby ”and not Sarfu” pays an amount of R33 000 per Super 12 player per month to the three regions (excluding the Sharks) and the regions then pay the provinces these amounts per player they have in the Super 12 squads.
”The money is not paid to the players as alleged by Sarfu. The retainer portion of the R33 000 is R23 500 per month with the balance being used for match fees and win bonuses.
”If a player earns more than R23 500 per month from his province he receives no extra payment for playing Super 12, except normal match fees and win bonuses,” said Heymans.
”The fact that the board of SA Rugby and Sarfu are not aware of this leaves question marks over the information, knowledge and competence regarding the contracting of players. How can players have any faith in administrators who report their facts incorrectly?
”The perception that greed is the motivation behind the dispute is incorrect. Rugby players are normal employees and are governed by the same labour legislation as other employees. The facts are legitimate expectations were created and the affected players were promised contracts.
”Is it fair to deem that players who now stand up for their rights are greedy? A lot has been reported about the performance of the players, it is however important to note that the players do not select the team, don’t decide on the game plan, nor do they appoint the coaches that coach them.
”It is not only unfair but also grossly incorrect to place the blame of poor performance solely on the players. Certain players did perform admirably at the World Cup. An appropriate example is Ashwin Willemse. What more should he do to be given a contract?
”Our structures, including player contracting and representation, are a complete shambles and not on par with the rest of the world.”
Sarpa has pleaded for a number of years with Sarfu and SA Rugby to move into line with countries like Australia, England and France. Only then will rugby be run truly professionally, said Heymans.
”Incorrect statements by parties, the lack of credibility and confidence seems set to continue. Complete lack of respect towards the players will only serve to demotivate players and leave their commitment to South African rugby hanging,” concluded Heymans. – Sapa