SA Rugby president Brian van Rooyen has declined to comment on reports that Bok coach Jake White was trying to canvass votes on his behalf, News24 reported on Monday.
It quoted him as saying he would not do or say anything that would adversely affect anyone in the run-up to the SA Rugby election on February 24.
”I don’t want to slander anyone. If other people within SA Rugby want to do that and sink so low, it is their right,” Van Rooyen said. ”I have no comment on what other people are saying. I also don’t want to say anything that can adversely affect anyone.”
Speculation is rife about Van Rooyen’s chances for re-election.
Though feelings in some quarters are running high against the controversial president, he felt he stood a good chance of being re-elected.
”I think I have perhaps more support now than was the case in the run-up to the election two years ago.”
Van Rooyen, who will be opposed by Oregan Hoskins of KwaZulu-Natal, said people should measure his performance against the promises he made in his opening speech two years ago.
”I said at the time that the Springboks had to become one of the best teams in the world again,” he said. ”At that stage, we were sixth in the world. I think we have done much better in the past two years.” — Sapa