EP must sit and watch fate debated

EASTERN Province Rugby will not have a vote when vital decisions regarding their future are taken at a top-level SA Rugby Union meeting in Cape Town next week.

Because they are under administration they will not have voting powers at what promises to be a fiery general council in Cape Town on December 9.

At this stage EP Rugby have not advised SA Rugby who their representatives at the meeting will be.

“We have not decided yet as to who shall represent the EPRU. Fred Makoki and Philip Joseph have been representing EPRU at Saru meetings lately. Nearer to the time, we shall advise,” said Tabata.

This lack of a vote could be crucial because delegates are likely to thrash out the pros and cons for a new-look Currie Cup Premier Division which may not feature Eastern Province.

A “strength versus strength” featuring the teams which occupied the top six places last season would be a crippling blow for the union.

If a plan for the top six teams to contest the Premier League is passed, then the Kings will be left sitting on the sidelines.

That would leave the Cheetahs, Bulls, Golden Lions, Western Province, the Sharks and Griquas fighting for the coveted trophy.

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander has outlined plans for an overhaul of SA Rugby administration as well as for a Springbok review process following a “profoundly disappointing” season.

Alexander said plans to bring governance structures more in line with the demands of professional sport were already well advanced while the immediate question of what to do about Bok results was the organisation’s top priority.

“We are acutely aware that we have failed to live up to the Springboks’ proud heritage,” said Alexander.

Alexander said the key changes planned are:

● New franchise and non-franchise rugby committees to improve communication between unions and executive council; to make recommendations on competitions and playing affairs; and to speed up decision

● Allowing third parties to take a majority shareholding in unions’ commercial arms and have a voice in running rugby through the new franchise rugby committee.

● Doubling independent representation on the Executive Council to four members plus the representative of the players.

● Terminating the role of the vice-president (at the end of the term in 2018) to bring the elected representation to six.