The South African Rugby Players’ Association (Sarpa) on Thursday welcomed the arbitration award handed down by the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA).
This arbitration award originates from the fact that at the end of 2003, then Springbok coach Rudolf Straeuli made certain undertakings to a number of players and thereby created the expectation among these players that they would be contracted by SA Rugby for the 2004 season.
After this did not materialise in 2004, it was decided that Sarpa — on behalf of Victor Matfield, Richard Bands and Christo Bezuidenhout — refer the matter to the CCMA.
Senior commissioner Vanessa Pather found that Matfield, Bands and Bezuidenhout were unfairly dismissed, that SA Rugby did not prove that there was a fair reason for not renewing their Bok contracts, and that their dismissals were not effected in accordance with a fair procedure.
”This arbitration award is very important and the players must be given credit for the fact that despite a lot of pressure put on them not to proceed with their case against SA Rugby, they stood up for their rights,” said Sarpa CEO Piet Heymans.
”They will be compensated for the financial losses they have endured to a total amount of R1-million, which must be paid by SA Rugby to the three players by no later than January 31 2005.
”This award will provide guidance and confirm to all professional sport administrators that fixed-term contracts should be managed and be terminated in a fair manner.
”It also confirms that professional rugby players are covered by the labour laws of South Africa and that despite the sometimes unique employment environment, all labour-law principles are applicable when dealing with professional rugby players.
”We trust that this arbitration award will finally bring an end to the gloom [of the] 2003 rugby chapter and that Sarpa, SA Rugby and the players can start 2005 with a clean slate,” concluded Heymans. — Sapa