It’s official. For an initial period of a year, former Springbok and Sharks coach Rudolph Straeuli will rejoin the management team at the headquarters of the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union in the new post of commercial manager.
In a terse announcement of his appointment on Monday, the duties to be undertaken by Straeuli in his new role were not defined.
Originally the post had been advertised as being for a director of rugby.
When Straeuli left the Sharks for the Springboks, Kevin Putt came in as coach in his place and when Putt was sent packing, Dick Muir was appointed to coach the Sharks.
It is still not clear what their respective roles will be in the months ahead as the Sharks rebuild their forces after a somewhat disastrous Super 12 and Currie Cup season.
In 2003, Straeuli landed in hot water over the infamous three-day Kamp Staaldraad, which took place immediately following the announcement of the Springboks’ 30-man World Cup squad at the end of August.
M-Net screened pictures of Kamp Staaldraad, showing the national squad crawling naked through the bush.
The pictures showed naked players carrying railway tracks and tractor tyres and standing in a freezing dam, with their hands covering their private parts. — Sapa