The South African Rugby Players Association (Sarpa) has reacted to the publicising of players salaries that was made available to the media by the president of the South African Rugby Football Union (Sarfu), Brian van Rooyen.
”Player salaries are confidential information in player contracts. It can only be disclosed with the consent of the player/s. Therefore this is a breach of contract by Sarfu and SA Rugby. We also question the correctness of this so-called audited list as Ashwin Willemse, Schalk Burger and Derick Hougaard do not even appear on this list.
”Match fees are reflected as retainers for players who have never had a retainer contract with SA Rugby. We need to know who did this audit as figures should be correct in an audit.
”In light thereof we are demanding that the independent audit already requested in November 2003 be concluded as a matter of urgency. We should also have the right and opportunity to scrutinise the figures once available.
”At the same time the players believe that the salaries and remuneration of the top SA Rugby and Sarfu administrators, executive committee members and directors should be published. A clear comparison is required between what the administrators and players are earning in light of the fact that SA Rugby only spent 13% of its turnover on Springbok salaries last year.” — Sapa