Western Province’s Koos Basson has become the fourth South African Rugby Union (Saru) management committee member to resign on Wednesday.
This follows the resignations of fellow members Andre Markgraaff, Mike Stofile and Theunie Lategan.
All four members have adhered to the request by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc), backed by Minister of Sport and Recreation Makhenkesi Stofile, that the whole committee step down.
”In response to recent events surrounding the management of SA Rugby, I have accepted the recommendation of Sascoc to step down from my current position as a member of Saru’s management committee, effective from close of business on May 26 2005,” said Basson.
”The interests of the game must be put first and it is imperative that all members of Manco cooperate in the interests of finding a solution to the current crisis. My decision to step down, therefore, is done on the proviso that all other Manco [management committee] members do likewise.
”I have communicated my position in a letter today [Wednesday] to Sascoc president Moss Mashishi.”
Only Saru president Brian van Rooyen is refusing to vacate his position. Van Rooyen says elected officials cannot be arbitrarily dismissed without taking the constitution of SA Rugby into account.
Sascoc is expected to announce an interim committee to run SA Rugby later on Wednesday. — Sapa