Controversial WP Rugby administrator issues scathing attack on SA Rugby

Last year, SA Rugby invoked its constitutional power to take administrative control of the WPRFU, which controls 100% of its commercial arm, Western Province Professional Rugby.

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This followed months of controversy and infighting which brought the union to the brink of bankruptcy, while there were several attempts to have a vote of no confidence brought against the WP president.

However, in a letter addressed to SA Rugby and the WPRFU, Marais previously insisted that SA Rugby has no “justifiable grounds” for invoking the clause to take control of the WPRFU.

According to Rugby365.com, now in a renewed attack on the national body, Marais stated that he is writing “out of grave concern” for the future of the game in the Western Cape as he looks to reclaim his position as the head of WPRFU.

“I write this communiqué to the clubs that form the WPRFU and to SARU and in regard to certain recent events that have become untenable and especially in regard to the so-called administration of the WPRFU,” Marais says in his letter.

“I am of the view that the so-called administration of the WPRFU has no legal and lawful basis. For that reason WPRFU will no longer consider itself to be under administration and will forthwith resume its activities as an autonomous and legal entity, being an association, affiliated to SARU.

Marais also slammed SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux

Roux has of course lost his appeal and is now responsible for repaying more than R37-million to the University of Stellenbosch over misappropriation of funds during his time working in the University’s finance department – between 2002 and 2010.

“A reading of the judgement discloses the behaviour of an individual that cannot, by any stretch of the imagination, oversee the business affairs of an entity like SARU, and effectively hold sway over the affairs of an entity like WPRFU, as he does at present – by having purportedly placed WPRFU under administration.

“A close scrutiny of the aforementioned judgement reveals an individual who effectively cooked the books of his erstwhile employee in order to divert the funds of the employee for his personal use.

“To add horror to reality, SARU has never addressed the situation of Roux, who still happens to be in the employ of SARU as its CEO.

“Common sense tells us that SARU needs to conduct an audit of its financial affairs, especially those under the control and auspices of Roux. Common sense raises the concerns of how the millions owed to the University of Stellenbosch is going to be repaid, and whether the coffers and connections of SARU will be a vehicle for such repayment.

“Worse still, common sense raises the grave concern of whether Roux will remain in office.”