SA Rugby declined the Southern Spears’ request to meet on Tuesday before its board decides whether the franchise will play in next year’s Super 14.
SA Rugby managing director Johan Prinsloo informed the Spears that the board of directors was too busy during its two-day meeting starting late on Tuesday, Beeld newspaper reported.
Prinsloo also said he doubted whether SA Rugby, the commercial arm of the South African Rugby Union (Saru), will decide whether to approve contentious recommendations by Saru on the Spears’ future participation in the Super 14.
Saru’s presidents’ council last week backtracked on a guarantee it made last year that the Spears will replace the last-placed South African franchise from this year’s Super 14 and compete in the tournament in 2007 and 2008.
The council wanted an inquiry into the viability and readiness of the Spears, and proposed that none of the country’s franchises — including the Bulls, Cats, Cheetahs, Sharks, and Stormers — should be relegated or promoted after this season.
”The matter will be discussed,” Prinsloo told Beeld.
”I don’t want to say a decision about the Spears will be taken, but I doubt it. In all probability, a decision will not be taken now because we must first visit the Spears.”
To rising concern from the ANC-led government over the recommendations, Saru reiterated on Tuesday it was committed to helping the Spears reach the Super 14 but it wanted to make sure the team and organisation was ready, and that it met its obligations of fielding the best teams in the three-nation competition. – Sapa-AP