The South African Rugby Football Union today intervened to resolve a number of issues with regard to the management of the Springbok rugby team.

SARFU decided after a meeting held in Bloemfontein on Monday night, to accept full responsibility for managing the Springboks. This function was previously performed by SA Rugby (PTY) LTD.

The meeting was called by SARFU president Brian van Rooyen and attended by SARFU vice-president Mike Stofile, SARFU CEO Mveleli Ncula and Cliffie Booysen, General Manager in the Office of the Presidency.

These decisions were taken after consultation with Dr. Theunie Lategan, Chairman of SA Rugby (PTY) LTD. Dr Lategan is currently in Australia where he is attending a SANZAR meeting.

After several concerns were raised within various quarters regarding the management of the Springbok team, SARFU resolved to:

Promote Charles Wessels, Logistics Manager of the SA u.21 team to the Springbok team;
Appoint Yusuf Hassan of the Stormers and Western Province as Team Doctor and;
Appoint Rayaan Adriaanse, SARFU Media Manager, as Media Liason for all national teams, including the Springboks.

‘The leadership of SARFU was greatly concerned about a number of issues relating to the management of the Springboks. The new people appointed will take up their posts today, and we are now satisfied that all the outstanding matters have been dealt with,’ said Mr Van Rooyen.

‘The leadership expresses its full and ongoing support for Springbok coach Jake White, his entire management team and all players selected for the senior national team.’

Please note that new media arrangements for journalists attending the Springbok training camp in Bloemfontein, will be issued on Wednesday morning.

For more details contact:

SARFU
Tel: +27 21 659 6722
Fax:+27 21 685 3088
E-mail: sarfu@icon.co.za