The South African Super 14 rugby franchises are to be reconsidered at a meeting to be held on May 7, rugby boss Brian van Rooyen revealed on Saturday.
Addressing journalists after an emergency meeting with members of the South African Rugby Union’s (Saru) president’s council, Saru president Van Rooyen said the concern expressed by the public and other interested parties over the awarding of the franchises cannot be ignored.
”We will debate the franchises at the meeting on May 7,” said Van Rooyen. ”Sport plays a vital unifying role in South Africa, and we can’t afford to have the sort of turmoil that has happened this week. We also need to take into account the concerns that a number of parties have expressed.
”It was particularly unfortunate that it all happened in the week after South Africa won the Under-19 Rugby World Cup. Last year, we had the player of the year, the coach of the year and the team of the year. We were Tri-Nations champions. But the kind of storm that erupted last week is not good for rugby, and it’s not good for South Africa,” he continued.
Van Rooyen said the meeting has been called to discuss the state of South African rugby after an apparent rebellion by five members of the president’s council — Andre Markgraaff, Mike Stofile, Theunie Lategan, Dolf van Huyssteen and Koos Basson.
”While I was still in Europe, I called for a meeting, which will take place on May 7. The disagreements must be debated and be brought into the open,” he said.
”I want to apologise to the South African rugby public for what happened last week. It makes South Africa the laughing stock of world rugby, and we can’t afford that.”
Fifteen members of the president’s council — including nine provincial presidents — attended the emergency meeting. Absentees included the five ”rebels”, as well as the presidents of KwaZulu-Natal, the Gauteng Falcons, Western Province, the Blue Bulls and Eastern Province rugby.
After the meeting, Saru chief executive Johan Prinsloo said the council confirmed that it has full confidence in the Saru president and his leadership.
”Saru expressed its concern and disappointment at the meeting that took place in Stellenbosch last week, which was attended by certain members of the management committee of SA Rugby,” said Prinsloo.
”Saru also made a strong call for unity amongst its various provinces,” he said. ”Unity in Saru means unity in the provinces. It is because of the 14 provinces, and the players, administrators, supporters and other stakeholders which they represent, that we have a national controlling body called Saru.”
Prinsloo said Saru has also appealed to the South African rugby public for sense and sensitivity regarding the Super 14 franchises, as these are still under discussion. — Sapa