Western Province appears destined to be put under administration after SA Rugby pulled out of the joint advisory committee.
According to a report, Rugby365 is in possession of a letter addressed to warring WP leaders, president Zelt Marais and Ebrahim Rasool (chairman of WP’s professional arm), from Saru chief Jurie Roux that confirms the withdrawal of the national governing body from the joint advisory committee.
“SARU hereby informs you, as representatives of the Executive of the WPRFU and the board of its commercial entity, that SARU will with immediate effect terminate the existence of the Joint advisory committee – as provided for in section 1 of the agreed Terms of Reference,” Roux states in the letter.
The latest development in the ongoing controversy that has reportedly dragged WP to the brink of financial ruin was in response to the union reportedly failing to cooperate with Saru representatives in trying to achieve the objectives of the advisory committee.
“Unfortunately, it has become apparent that the flow and completeness of the information provided to the SARU members were inadequate for them to effectively perform their function while the absence of transparency and of commitment of certain WP members to the process of engaging in seeking a solution had become an insurmountable object,” said the letter.
“Although the leadership of WP agreed to work with SARU in a cooperative manner, the behaviour and actions of its leadership have, in several instances, has not demonstrated this.
“SARU’s representatives attempted to participate constructively in the deliberations of the Advisory Committee, but they have been baulked in their attempt to assist WP in finding solutions for its parlous state and we see no point in continuing in this route.”
With SA Rugby ostensibly ready to take control of WP affairs, Marais is set to face a vote of no confidence from disgruntled WP clubs on 20 September.
