Organisers scramble to save Super 14
Clubs yet to receive prize money for previous tournament
The future of the prestigious Eastern Cape Super 14 is in limbo with organisers scrambling to rescue what seems to be an embarrassing situation with clubs’ hellbent not to take to the field, unless they get what is due to them after this year’s edition ended without any reimbursement.
The 2023 edition has been a total disaster when it comes to organisational structure, kit and payouts, which has left a lot of clubs in debt, owing money to transport companies, who have threatened legal action for non-payment.
What started with a fanfare with high expectations, has left many clubs crippled and the rugby public in dismay.
The tournament, the biggest in the Eastern Cape, was launched in January by provincial sport, recreation, arts and culture MEC Nonceba Kontsiwe, in partnership with the Eastern Cape Sports Confederation, Border Rugby Union and Eastern Province Rugby Union.
A new investor was announced by the MEC, together with president of the Eastern Cape Sports Confederation, Mzondeli Qotoyi, Heritage Rugby, which invested R7.5m in the tournament for a period of three years.
Gauteng-based East Rand United and Crusaders from George were
announced as guest participants.
The winners were promised a winner’s cheque of R100,000 while the runner-up was to pocket R60,000.
The teams finishing in third and fourth place were promised R50,000 and R40,000 respectively, with all the teams promised a participating fee of R20,000.
In no time, the big announcement and expectations fell through, with the shock revelation that the sponsor had pulled out.
What followed was a scramble to save the competition, while the fixtures continued, with promises made to clubs.
Another announcement was made
by the organisers, with a new sponsor stepping in with an estimated amount of R4m.
In between, East Rand United pulled out due to lack of funding for travelling and other expenses.
The fixtures continued, with promises on the table and the hope by clubs that it would be fulfilled, with all the clubs travelling to away fixtures on “credit” from the transport companies.
At the quarterfinal stage, when the second backer was also struggling to fulfil its promises, Crusaders from George also pulled out, amid a stormy social media altercation with the organisers.
In the end, EL Police won the tournament after beating Kruisfontein in the final.
But as of the time of going to print, still not a cent had been paid to clubs.
Not even the kit was handed over, which left more clubs in even more financial difficulties.
It’s been eight months since the final, and yet not a single cent has been paid out.
It is time for the clubs to start preparing for the 2024 edition after the completion of the league season. The competition usually kicks off in the last weekend of January.
So far, there have been various meetings with stakeholders, with clubs determined not to participate unless what is due to them is paid out.
We are hoping that an amicable solution will be reached between organisers and the clubs. If the MEC steps in to assist, it will be a welcome boost for rugby in this region.
There is no club rugby competition in the province that comes close to the euphoria and competitiveness of the EC Super 14, which have grown tremendously over the years.