Saru finalises Gold Cup format after playoff saga

Reigning Border Super League champions Swallows will again fly the Border rugby flag high at this year’s instalment of the Gold Cup tournament.

This follows a decision by SA Rugby (Saru) administrator, Monde Tabata, who met with the 14 clubs over the weekend to resolve a number of burning issues at the defunct Border rugby’s amateur wing.

The most pressing topic on the agenda was the proposed Gold Cup playoffs which meant that although Swallows had already qualified to play in SA Rugby's national championship for non-university clubs through winning the league – they still had to go through playoffs to earn a spot in the Gold Cup.

Tabata said that at their special general meeting, which was later abandoned, a decision had been taken to let Saru determine a way forward on a number of issues. This included finding a new administrator for Border and axing Basil Haddad who’s been hugely criticised by the many Super League clubs.

“The matter could not be resolved due to the defective credentials of 47 and the absence of some of the clubs that were in good standing,” he said.

Tabata said after consultation, it was then decided that a new format of Gold Cup qualification would be implemented in 2020, and that would make all clubs in the Super and Premier League eligible to play in Gold Cup. According to the former EP administrator:

● This will include the top club from the First Division (it will qualify to play in Gold Cup 2020);

● The two university clubs, namely, Fort Hare Blues and WSU All Blacks, are as is the case at present, excluded from the Gold Cup;

● There will therefore be 23 clubs that will participate in the Gold Cup from 2020 as there were only 20 previously; and

● The League standings of 2019 will be used as a basis of participation in Gold Cup 2020.

“This decision is applicable nationwide and is not specific to Border rugby.

“It has been taken in order to promote wider inclusivity of clubs and to create an aspirational platform for all levels of rugby clubs,” said Tabata.

He said as a result of that there would be no playoffs as scheduled.

“A further reason is that it is our information that significant number of clubs will be involved in heritage tournaments in the next two weeks.”

With regards to the ancillary matters that were raised in that meeting, Tabata said the current Border administrator Haddad still held the post and his future would be considered by the Saru executive that was expected to sit in October.

He added that Border Rugby administrative consultant Tim Dlulane’s contract of four months had expired.