SA Rugby have apparently decided the fate of its CEO Jurie Roux. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
Employers, players, staff and SA Rugby have combined in business continuity planning aimed at cost saving in the face of expected shortfall in revenues.
SA Rugby have apparently decided the fate of its CEO Jurie Roux. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix
All elements of the South African rugby ‘industry’ have come together in an unprecedented act of unity to prepare a long-term strategy to combat the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Employers, players, staff and SA Rugby have combined in business continuity planning aimed at cost saving in the face of expected shortfall in revenues.
The plan has been formulated in a joint working group (the COVID-19 Management Committee) including SA Rugby, the South African Rugby Employers’ Organisation (SAREO), MyPlayers (representing the players) and Sports Employees’ Unite (SEU – the rugby staffs’ trade union).
The Committee’s joint proposal has begun a round of presentations to union presidents and CEOs as well as through the MyPlayers and SEU channels.
“We have workshopped a number of scenarios based on potential return-to-play dates and identified the most likely financial scenario based on rugby resuming in the third quarter of 2020,” said Jurie Roux, the CEO of SA Rugby.
“The industry came together virtually on day one of this crisis to frame a united response.
“This is not an SA Rugby problem or a unions’ problem, it is everyone’s problem and we are very clear that we have to stand together if we are to overcome it.
“The progression and response to the virus unfolds on a daily basis so we do not have a confirmed domestic or international calendar for the rest of 2020, but we have made plans for every eventuality.
“Returning to play as soon as possible is critical for the industry and until we know what that date is – and if it is sustainable in the face of the crisis – we cannot accurately understand the impacts.
“However, we have taken a realistic approach to the potential damage and have formulated a plan that will mitigate the immediate damage and provide the basis for an on-going response.”
Once approved the plan would be made public, said Roux.
“These are dark times but we are united in our approach and determined that together we will get through this.”
The grouping urged the rugby community to strictly observe the lockdown directives of President Cyril Ramaphosa.