Minister warns rugby bosses

2005-04-14 21:27

Gert Coetzee

Cape Town - If South Africa's rugby bosses do not award one of the five Super 14 franchises to the combined southern and eastern Cape, they'll burn their fingers, warned Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile on Thursday

He was asked for his reaction to reports that the Central Cheetahs would receive the franchise rather than the southern and eastern Cape.

Stofile said he was waiting for SA Rugby's announcement on Friday, but it would be a pity if the Cape unions were not successful with their bid.

Stofile was also disappointed that SA Rugby had appointed an independent panel to evaluate the bids and that they had not listened to him.

"A panel that knows nothing about rugby cannot take a decision regarding development. It should have been a rugby decision and not a panel decision."

Minister wants five regions

He said it was unthinkable that an area that represented 43% of the registered rugby players in South Africa, should be ignored.

His proposal was that SA Rugby should divide the country into five regions of equal strength and that each should be awarded a Super 14 franchise.

Also, SA Rugby should contract 150 players whom they could then deploy at will in the regions so that combinations and equal strengths could be developed.

He confirmed that the southern and eastern Cape had asked him to stay involved.

"I have said what I wanted to say and am not going to change my stance. The ball is now in SA Rugby's court," he said.

- Volksblad