SA Rugby assumes administrative control of Western Province RFU
SA Rugby will invoke its constitutional powers and take administrative control of the Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU).
This follows a decision taken by the executive council of the South African Rugby Union on Monday.
Former SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer has been appointed as an administrator and will assume oversight of the union’s affairs immediately.
His remit includes supervision of the operational affairs of Western Province (Pty) Ltd, which manages the professional playing teams of the DHL Stormers and Western Province.
SA Rugby president Mark Alexander admits the decision had been taken with extreme reluctance.
“We had engaged with the WPRFU over a number of months on the challenges the organisation faced and tried to assist them in finding solutions.
“We attempted to partner in a joint oversight committee but were frustrated in our attempts to receive accurate information and engage constructively.
“However, the union has regressed in its attempts to extricate itself from those challenges and we could no longer stand by.
“This is very much the last resort, but it had become apparent that the Union’s leadership was incapable of putting in place the actions to regularise its position.
Alexander says all stakeholders – the union’s commercial partners, broadcaster, coaching staff, players’ union and United Rugby Championship partners – had been advised of the decision.
