The Bulls ‘have found a Ferrari’
NEW CEO: MEYER IS A PASSIONATE FAN OF THE TEAM
Ken Borland
The new CEO at Loftus Versfeld, Alfonso Meyer, does not have any rugby background apart from being a passionate Bulls supporter, but this is actually a positive according to Willem Strauss, the union’s president and chairman of the board.
The former executive director of PriceWaterhouse Coopers’ consulting business and managing director of IBM Business Consulting Services, was unveiled yesterday as the successor to long-serving CEO Barend van Graan, who steps down at the end of January after 35 years.
Meyer’s sporting background is more in golf, being the club captain and chairman at Pinnacle Point estate, but he was a regular figure in the stands when the Bulls enjoyed their glory years between 2007 and 2012.
“When I first saw Alfonso’s CV I thought he was over-qualified for the job. I actually think it is a big bonus that he doesn’t come from a rugby background, because it means he’s outside of the rugby politics and he’s not contaminated by any preconceptions. I read in a newspaper a few weeks ago that we were looking for a Ferrari – well, we’ve found one,” Strauss said yesterday.
“This is a massive privilege for me because I am one of the most fanatical Bulls supporters. Between 2007 and 2012 I think I missed only one out of a hundred games at Loftus. So I’m not from a rugby career and I know the team has not been doing great, but if you look at the squad it is absolutely fantastic and we also have great coaches and staff.
“I am first of all a businessman and secondly a big rugby man and Bulls supporter. But rugby is in a unique position, I know the environment is very challenging and we need to look for new revenue streams. I will look with different eyes at Bulls rugby, but I won’t be interfering per se with what goes on on the field, my main task is to create an environment in which the team can excel,” Meyer said.
Meyer’s appointment before that of the new franchise coach will mean the FirstRand non-executive director will have input on whether Victor Matfield, Deon Davids or Pote Human is named to succeed John Mitchell.
A new CEO after so many years with Van Graan at the helm will also automatically bring change, but Meyer did praise his predecessor for getting the Bulls through tough times.
“Barend is a legend in Pretoria, I’ve known him a bit before but got to know him quite well over the last two or three days. I think we will work well together during our one-month overlap period in January and the handover will be smooth,” Meyer said.