Hoskins still head honcho
SOUTH African Rugby’s standing globally was the biggest consideration for maintaining the leadership ahead of its annual meeting on March 28.
President Oregan Hoskins, deputy president Mark Alexander and vice-president James Stofberg stood unopposed when nominations ahead of the elections closed on Friday.
Hoskins will return for a third term as South African Rugby Union president, while Alexander and Stofberg will be in their second terms. No constitutional amendments will be required for them to do so.
Hoskins, as International Rugby Board (IRB) vice-chairman and World Cup Board member, is at the top table of the game’s most influential power brokers, but he would have had to vacate those positions had he been voted out as head of Saru.
For some, that prospect was too ghastly to contemplate.
“If Oregan was voted out we would probably have to wait another 20 or 30 years before we could host another World Cup,” Alexander pointed out.
After missing out in 2011 and 2015, South Africa have set their sights on hosting the next avail- able World Cup. “We are going flat out for 2023,” said Hoskins.
“The World Cup Board recommends to the IRB who the host country should be. It is vital that I sit there when that recommendation is made.
“Already Ireland have thrown their name into the hat for 2023, but I’m meeting with them this week,” said Hoskins.
Alexander stressed the importance of continuity at the game’s highest governing body.
“He (Hoskins) is strategically placed so we can help take rugby decisions. You need to build a rapport. The individual comes to you, not the country.”
“It’s about whom you know,” Hoskins concurred.
There had been suggestions that Golden Lions president Kevin de Klerk would oppose Hoskins but he said he has unfinished business.
“I don’t think Oregan will be opposed,” De Klerk said before nominations closed.
“Overtures were made by other unions for me to stand for various positions. I feel, however, given our exclusion from Super Rugby last year it is best to try and restabilise our business. We are just clawing our way back but I feel — not that I’m saying I’m irreplaceable — there is still some work I need to get done here.”
Key issues for Hoskins in his new term include restructuring Saru’s commercial wing as new revenue streams are pursued, player management and welfare, and transformation.
National federations have been threatened with expulsion from international competition if they don’t comply with government initiatives to transform sport. Saru has plans to “operationalise” transformation intervention to avoid this.
Ultimately though, Hoskins has bigger plans. “We’ve got to find a way of becoming No 1 and staying there,” he said.