Springbok rugby coach Jake White testified behind closed doors on Wednesday while former rugby boss Brian van Rooyen remained absent from a disciplinary inquiry, which is hearing corporate-mismanagement allegations against him.
White was the day’s first witness at the closed hearing in Bloemfontein, spending about 30 minutes in the offices of the Free State Rugby Union before reappearing outside.
Like most of the witnesses, White did not want to comment on the proceedings.
Former South African Rugby Union (Saru) deputy president Andre Markgraaff and former chairperson of the SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd board, Theunie Lategan, also testified during the course of the day.
Saru CEO Johan Prinsloo, who also gave evidence at the hearing on Wednesday, said Van Rooyen’s absence was a matter of regret. ”It’s also in his interest [to be at the hearing],” he said.
Others who have testified include Free State Rugby’s Harold Verster, public relations consultant Ann-Lee Murray and SA Rugby manager for legal services Christo Ferreira.
The inquiry is scheduled to last until Friday, but is expected to conclude before then.
The proceedings come after Van Rooyen was found guilty of corporate mismanagement during an internal investigation by Saru. A wider investigation was ordered to be held under the adjudication of former chief justice Joos Hefer.
Van Rooyen indicated earlier that he would not be present at the inquiry, according to an SA Rugby statement earlier this week.
According to media reports he was in Maputo on Tuesday, the first day of the inquiry.
By Wednesday afternoon it was not clear when Judge Hefer would give his opinion. — Sapa