The South African Rugby Football Union today appointed Mr Mveleli Ncula as its new Chief Executive Officer. This appointment was made by the SARFU Executive Committee at its meeting held in Cape Town this morning.

Following the restructuring of South African Rugby, the former CEO, Mr Rian Oberholzer, was appointed as Managing Director of SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd, the commercial arm of South African Rugby. This necessitated the filling of the vacant position of Chief Executive Officer of SARFU.

Ncula, 54 has a long involvement with South African Rugby and has, over many years, served in several different capacities within the Game’s structures.

Whilst currently serving as Chairman of SARFU’s Strategic Advisory Committee, and as an Executive Committee member of the Union, he also lists his directorship of SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd. as one of his many important commitments to South African Rugby.

Since the start of the present International season, Mveleli Ncula has held the position of SARFU Representative of the Springbok Team, and along with this also holds the distinctive honour of having been SARFU’s Representative with the victorious SA Under 21 Team which won the 1999 SANZAR/UAR Under 21 Tournament in Argentina.

Another of Ncula’s major involvements is with the Confederation of Africa Rugby (CAR), the organization which runs the Rugby affairs of the continent. He has to date served as one of SARFU’s representatives on that body, and sees the development of the Game in Africa as paramount.

‘I am happy that we have made such rapid progress with the implementation of our restructuring process, and that we stand on the brink of the two arms, namely SARFU and SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd, commencing their respective duties in the successful running of our Game’ said SARFU President, and Chairman of the Board of the Company, Mr Silas Nkanunu.

The President added: ‘I have every confidence in the abilities of our new CEO, and am certain that he and the Managing Director, Rian Oberholzer will continue to build on their sound relationship, which is in the interests of the advancement of South African Rugby’.

Mr Ncula, his wife Mandisa, and their four children will begin the process of relocating from Port Elizabeth where he currently resides, to Cape Town, to take up his new position, and his appointment as CEO becomes effective in January 2002.

Until Mr Ncula takes up his position in the new year, Mr Rian Oberholzer, Managing Director of the Company, will continue to serve as Chief Executive of SARFU.

‘It’s a challenging position, which I’m looking forward to. I firmly believe in a close relationship between SARFU and SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd., which would ultimately be to the benefit of the Game’ said the new CEO.

For further information please contact:

Anthony Mackaiser
Sarfu
Tel: 082 990 6920