Political intervention by the African National Congress seems to have steadied the volatile situation between warring Eastern Province Rugby officials and South African Rugby in Port Elizabeth on Wednesday. A joint statement by SA Rugby and the EP executive committee said the situation has been brought under control.
Once again the war of words waged by Jake White and Eddie Jones has been a familiar theme in the build-up to Saturday’s Mandela Challenge Plate Test between South Africa and Australia at Ellis Park. Both men have used the media to good effect in an attempt to bait their opposite number.
Despite the executive committee of the Eastern Province Rugby Union (EPRU) having been suspended, rugby will continue as usual, the EPRU said on Tuesday. Crisis talks took place at the EPRU Stadium on Tuesday after the committee was temporarily relieved of its powers late on Monday evening.
Jake White’s Springboks defied the odds and their critics with a hard-fought 27-13 victory over the French at the EPRU Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday afternoon.South Africa led 20-6 at the break. The win means the Boks clinch the two-Test series 1-0 after the first Test was drawn 30-all in Durban last weekend.
Jake White, the national rugby coach, has reportedly threatened to resign over selection issues. White is said to be frustrated with interference in his team selections from several quarters in SA Rugby and has reportedly issued an ultimatum.
It’s make or break time for Jake White’s Springboks when they face France in the series-deciding second Test in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. The result in this Test will determine the outcome of the series and may have massive bearing on the fortunes of the Springboks as they attempt to defend their Tri-Nations crown in the next couple of months.
When the Springboks take to the field at Absa Stadium in East London on Saturday, there will be far more than just a convincing Test win over the underdog Uruguayans at stake. South Africa are guaranteed to rout a team 11 places below them on the International Rugby Board world rankings.
Giant Springbok lock Bakkies Botha became the latest withdrawal from Jake White’s injury plagued squad when he was diagnosed with a stress fracture of the right foot on Wednesday. Coach Jake White expressed his concern over the number of overuse injuries sustained before the start of the international season.
The South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (Sascoc) has come out in support of the South African Rugby Union’s decision on Thursday to resolve its differences internally. President Brian van Rooyen and deputy Andre Markgraaff will try to resolve their considerable differences following Sascoc’s intervention.
South African Rugby Union president Brian van Rooyen on Monday made overwhelming strides over his deputy, Andre Markgraaff, in the spiteful race for control of the sport in this country. Eleven of the 14 provincial union presidents — all those present at a hastily convened meeting — declared their support of the embattled rugby boss.