Rugby players and administrators survey changing landscape
● Free State Rugby MD Harold Verster said he was against the 21-day contract escape period that allowed South African professional players to leave their contracts. The period stretched from April 24 to May 14.
Free State and the Sharks were outvoted by the other unions in the agreement that also included players union MyPlayers and SA Rugby. Verster said it wasn’t morally correct that players could walk out of their contracts in a time of crisis.
“Western Province voted for it and now they’re complaining. It’s a bit late now,” Verster said.
For players who haven’t left their contracts, their pay cuts will vary from 13% to 38% if they don’t pay their pensions. If they pay, the cuts vary from 2% to 25%. Players who earn up to R240,000 a year are exempt from pay cuts with the scale of the cuts increasing with the salary brackets.
The Bulls have also been bringing in players, but were the first to have a player exiting in the 21-day period in utility back Johnny Kotze. Outgoing Bulls CEO Alfons Meyer said the pay cuts would not affect players only.
“It’s ... an industry-wide matter. Everyone within the team spectrum — players, coaches, medical staff and management — is affected because of the scale. The highest earners will take a 43% cut, but that’s part of the industry, which is in deep trouble,” Meyer said.
Western Province have lost flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis and flank Cobus Wiese and have World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit locked in negotiations with the union.
The Sharks have lost Andisa Ntsila and Tyler Paul, but retained their Springboks.
Sharks CEO Eduard Coetzee said it wasn’t easy to convince the players to stay.
“We really tried to communicate with the players closely and honestly in terms of where we are and where we want to go. We’ve managed to convince them to stay with us. No-one likes to get a pay cut, but our players have a big social responsibility and they’re good people. They’re more concerned with what’s happening in the world than about them.
“It was a collective decision and not that of the franchise to cut back on players’ wages. We’ll manage this in the best possible way with transparency, integrity, from where I believe the relationships will stay intact,” he said.
The Lions lost Malcolm Marx, Ruan Vermaak, Tyrone Green and Shaun Reynolds.
Veteran player agent Jan-Harm van Wyk said the financial devastation wrought by the coronavirus would have long-term implications for the game.
“It’s been a challenge, especially when it comes to doing business abroad. I had two offers for a player that we were busy with, then the virus struck and all negotiations came to a standstill. It’s been challenging all round for players and teams,” Van Wyk said.
“Salaries will be less globally because of the economic downturn. There will be less money available. There will be a lot of corner cutting just to get players and pay them less. The collective agreement is good, but players will want to cut agent costs.”