Border have no funds to take team to U20s

Cash-strapped Eastern Cape union opts to focus on senior teams instead

Broke Border Rugby has opted not to honour the Saru U20 National Championships currently under way due to lack of financial support from South African Rugby Union.

A senior Border rugby insider who didn’t want to be named told the Daily Dispatch that Border opted to prioritise the senior team and women’s team rather than going to participate in the U20 annual event.

Border has about six games to play in the Women’s Interprovincial League and at least seven games in the Currie Cup First Division that will require more funds.

Border Rugby director Dumisani Mhani said they could not make any alternative provisions to honour the developmental tournament as they do not have funds.

“We don’t have money, because SA Rugby stopped giving us [all unions] the transport subsidy, so we don’t have the funds to transport our players.

“Because in the first place they have to be transported to and from training sessions and when it comes to going [to tournaments] there it’s another issue,” said Mhani.

He didn’t want to divulge the amounts that the union needed in order to make the trips to the tournament currently taking place around the country.

“I won’t tell you how much we need to make the trip – it doesn’t work like that. But it involves the transport subsidy, hiring of buses, flights and it also includes accommodation.”

Border commercial and marketing manager Akhona Mgijima said they didn’t have any sponsor, but they were living off strategic partnerships with local companies. “We have a working relationship with Aurecon, and BTKM, and Taccsure Insurance Brokers.

“Those are working relationships to assist each other. They try and assist us where they can as far as women rugby is concerned,” said Mgijima.

“And other companies have shown interest like L2K Trading, and the provincial department of sport has also come to the party through the Eastern Cape Sport Council to assist.

“It’s been good that we have managed to get such people on board, because they assist us with wherever we need. Whether it’s money, whether it’s kit, whether it’s transport – so we have created a nice partnership of that nature and they are filling gaps that are open.”

He added: “Obviously I can not divulge the amounts and who’s paying the most up until in the future, because we are looking at creating a long-term relationships.

“And you remember that Border has not been good, hence it’s important for us to have a working relationship that is transparent to them, so they can feel part of whatever that we do.”

Mgijima said they would love for the locally based well established companies such as international car manufacturers to support them through a sponsorship deal.

“As you have seen our success as women’s rugby and men’s is concerned, we have done really well. Look we’ve got two Springboks that we have produced.

“We still need to produce more, so we’d love to see more companies such as your Mercedes-Benz and Johnson & Johnson and other big cooperates to come and support our cause.

“But obviously we need to start somewhere and we are happy with the small companies and we hoping many more come and join us.

“Because the Border administration is at a state where it’s doing relatively well, but the state of SA Rugby at a national level is why we are having problems at this point in time.”

I won’t tell you how much we need to make the trip – it doesn’t work like that