South African Rugby Football Union (Sarfu) president Brian van Rooyen on Tuesday asked the South African Rugby Players Association (Sarpa) for a little more time to work out the player contract issue.
Speaking on the SuperSport programme Boots and All on Tuesday evening, Van Rooyen said the players are a valuable asset to Sarfu but that the contract issue needs to be resolved.
”We are not going to take another 90 days — we will get people in to advise us so we can fast-track the issue.
”All we ask of Sarpa is to give us a short space of time.”
Van Rooyen was joined on the programme by Sarpa representatives Piet Heymans and Hennie le Roux, former Springbok coach Rudolph Straeuli and Sarfu deputy president and Sharks president Keith Parkinson.
Members of Sarpa, Sarfu and SA Rugby met earlier on Tuesday to thrash out the issue but according to Heymans ”no real progress was made”.
”We now need to report back to our constituents and decide the next course of action. We could go seek arbitration, take it to the CCMA [Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration] or to the high court.”
Van Rooyen, though, was adamant that new structures have to be set up before any decision on contracts can be made.
”The fact is that last year there were 52 contracted players and some of the players did not play a game. There are still six contracts operational right now.
”We now have a new coach, new management team and new selection panel. We don’t even know who will make the side. Before we get ourselves into another 50 contracts, let us get structures in place.”
He added that the new administration has inherited some things in South African rugby ”that had it been run on business principles, it would have been shut down years ago”.
Straeuli confirmed that he inherited 20 contracted players when he took over as coach.
”Our system of contracting players has not been right since we turned professional in 1995. It’s important that players get looked after but it is also important to have right structures in place.”
One of the issues under debate is that Straeuli offered certain players contracts. While the former coach would not admit it openly on the programme, he did say that he had been in contact with players and discussed their futures.
”I still feel the core of World Cup players are still the best in the country and if retained will do well for the country. But [new coach] Jake White might think differently and we must support him.
”This is the wrong forum to start name dropping. I believe that communication shouldn’t be to the media but to the players and stakeholders.”
Parkinson admitted he was surprised to hear there were 52 players contracted last year.
”I was part of both the old management and the new and I did not know that. I know that incentives were given to the World Cup [players] who were told if they win the World Cup they would get contracts for the next year. That did not happen so that falls away.
”I agree with Brian. We do have new management and the coach has yet to determine who will be in his team. I only know that at the end of the Super 12, those players who want contracts need to put up their hands, play and earn their contracts.”
The debate on how much players are being paid also was discussed. On Monday night former Springbok captained claimed that nobody, including himself, earns a retainer exceeding R500Â 000 a year. However, according to Van Rooyen, who claimed he had audited figures with him, 12 of the contracted players earn between R900Â 000 and R1,3-million a year — ”including Joost” — and 38 players earn more than R500Â 000 a year.
”And that was just from Sarfu. That does not include what they earned form their provincial contracts. A Sharks player earns about R800Â 000 although that may differ from province to province. Players can earn up to R2-million a year.”
A Test player is paid a match fee of R75Â 000 per game.
”So if he plays in all 11, he can earn R825Â 000 a year and that does not include his retainer.”
Van der Westhuizen called in to state that he is not paid more than R500Â 000 as a retainer, something with which Straeuli agreed.
”Last year we went to a smaller retainer and higher match fees.”
Van Rooyen, though, said that the figures he had in front of him were actual payments to players over the past year.
In the end Heymans felt the players have legitimate concerns and expectations.
”It is unfair for them to take the knock because of a change in management.
”We have tried to get a solution. Players are prepared to accept shorter-term contacts and small retainers of R25Â 000 to R30Â 000 a month. That is not an unfair expectation.” — Sapa
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