SA Rugby in hot water with World Rugby for dumping Israeli team

SA Rugby is at the centre of an investigation over an alleged breach of World Rugby’s constitution following the withdrawal of Tel Aviv Heat from the Mzansi Challenge.

SA Rugby announced on Friday that it had withdrawn an invitation to the Tel Aviv Heat to play in the Mzansi Challenge, following representations from multiple stakeholders.

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The Israel-based team were scheduled to compete in a competition with four other international teams and six South African provinces from next month. However, the team was advised on Friday that the invitation had been withdrawn.

The Mexican Rhinos have been earmarked to replace them, pending approval by the General Council.

The Israeli rugby team reacted with anger and disappointment to SA Rugby’s decision to kick them from the Mzansi Challenge and released a statement condemning the decision.

However, as reported by Ruggas.co.za. the Israeli team has now taken it a step further and lodged a compliant with World Rugby, alleging that SA Rugby is in breach of its constitution.

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The legal submission made to the World Rugby Council about SA Rugby reads as follows:

It is about the conduct of the South African Rugby Union (SA Rugby) and its apparent breach of the World Rugby Constitution.

The apparent breaches are to do with the SA Rugby’s administration of the Mzansi Challenge competition set to start 24 March 2023 in South Africa.

SA Rugby invited Tel Aviv Heat, a professional rugby union team affiliated with the Israel Rugby Union, to compete in the competition. It then withdrew the invitation.

The SA Rugby did not provide substantive reasons for withdrawing the invitation. Nor did it consult with the Israel Rugby Union before the withdrawal.

And nor did it withdraw any of the invitations of the 10 other teams it had invited.

As set out in the legal submission, the conduct of the SA Rugby appears to breach the World Rugby constitution.

It seems clear that rule 3 which forbids discrimination in general, and rule 4 which forbids discrimination against the Rugby Union of a country, have been broken.

The Legal Submission says that World Rugby, because of the safeguards in its rules, must investigate the conduct of the SA Rugby, and its apparent breach of the World Rugby constitution.

It is submitted that once a report has been completed, World Rugby may consider it appropriate to make a Judgment against the SA Rugby.

The Mzansi Challenge kicks off on 24 March with the Diables (Spain), Simbas (Kenya), Windhoek Draught Welwitschias (Namibia), and Goshawks (Zimbabwe) joining South African provinces, Leopards, Valke, Boland Kavaliers, Eastern Province, Border Bulldogs, and SWD Eagles.

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SA RUGBY RELEASED THE FOLLOWING DOMESTIC RUGBY DATES:

Currie Cup First Division & Mzanzi Challenge

Participating teams: Leopards, Valke, Boland Kavaliers, Eastern Province, Border Bulldogs, SWD Eagles [Currie Cup First Division]; Diables (Spain), Simbas (Kenya), Windhoek Draught Welwitschias (Namibia), Tel-Aviv Heat (*Now withdrawn) and Goshawks (Zimbabwe) [Mzanzi Challenge].

The highest-placed SA team will be crowned Currie Cup First Division league winners.

Opening round: 10/11 February

Mzansi Challenge Final: 17 June

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