SA
Rugby Board Approves Spears Enquiry
Published Wednesday, 29-Mar-2006
The Board of SA Rugby has approved
a Presidents Council recommendation to send a fact-finding mission to the Southern
Spears franchise, to ascertain their state of readiness for participation in the
Vodacom Super 14 competition next year.
Led by SA Rugby Union (Saru) President
Oregan Hoskins, the delegation will visit Port Elizabeth on Friday March 31 for
the first evaluation of the regional franchise. Other members of the delegation
are Vice President Koos Basson, CEO Johan Prinsloo, Deputy CEO Mveleli Ncula and
Financial Director Basil Haddad.
The visit marks the beginning of an investigation
into the franchise, regarded as a critical step in determining the immediate future
of the Southern Spears.
The enquiry into the Spears will include:
·
An evaluation of the commercial impact of the ultimate decision taken on the affected
franchises - in the event of a relegation
· Consideration of the Bid
documents from the Spears and the other South African franchises
· An
assessment of implications of the decision on the SANZAR / NewsCorp contract obligation
to play the best possible sides from each of the Sanzar affiliates.
·
A consideration of the implications of a decision for all stakeholders in the
Spears region.
“The process will require a lot of research and time,”
said Hoskins. “The ultimate decision is one we will not take lightly or in
a haphazard fashion. The terms of reference are designed to give us a total picture
that will tell us whether they are ready for 2007 or not.”
