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Tapes studied in rugby drama
20/01/2008 22:09 - (SA)
Stephen Nell, Die Burger
Cape Town - Mike Stofile is going ahead with his plans to meet Heyneke Meyer, despite rumours that he has been forbidden to do so.
"The meeting goes ahead," said Stofile, vice-president of the South African Rugby Union, on Sunday.
Stofile told Die Burger last week he had a mandate from Saru's presidents' council to have a meeting with former Bulls coach Meyer, who lost to Peter de Villiers in the race to coach the Springboks.
He indicated that Meyer could be offered a position (possibly that of director of coaching) this week.
Rapport reported on Sunday that Saru president Oregan Hoskins had put a stop to plans for the meeting.
In conversations with both men on Sunday it became clear that they held different views about Stofile having a mandate to meet Meyer.
Stofile is expected to oppose Hoskins in the election of Saru officials in March.
Stofile said: "The tape recordings of our meetings are clear.
"I have phoned members of the presidents' council and they confirmed that I have a mandate.
"If the president feels it is the wrong time to meet Heyneke, he should tell me to back off."
Listened to the recordings
Hoskins said he had read about Stofile's plans in Die Burger last week. "I cannot remember him getting such a mandate," he said on Sunday.
He had spoken to SA Rugby secretary Ismail Jakoet who had listened to the recordings.
"The minutes of our presidents' council meeting were unclear and they were corrected," he said.
"It says clearly Mr Stofile's mandate ended with the appointment of the Springbok coach.
"We could get into trouble if we create an expectation without following the correct procedure.
"Anyone is free to speak to anyone else, but if Heyneke is flown to Cape Town by SA Rugby, it becomes a Saru matter."
Johan Prinsloo, CEO of Saru, said he would try to clear up the matter on Monday. "It seems there may be a grey area. It is important that the matter be resolved."
Die Burger has learnt that Stofile and Meyer may now meet in Johannesburg instead of Cape Town. Stofile was unwilling to comment about it on Sunday.
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Rugby
