|
Last week’s withdrawal of former GLRU deputy president Mark Alexander from the race to become president will not make Friday’s election of the SA Rugby Union (Saru) senior office bearers at the annual general meeting of the controlling body in Cape Town on Friday any less interesting.
The past two elections have been marked by acrimonious canvassing when Oregan Hoskins first defeated Brian van Rooyen for the position of president and then staved off a challenge from Mike Stofile to be re-elected.
While Alexander’s withdrawal ensures that Hoskins would serve a third team as president, the battle for the lesser positions is still wide open.
The return of Hoskins, despite criticism on his handling of a number of issues, will hopefully see a continuation of the calm that surrounds Saru and the good relationship the controlling body has with the IRB and the improved relationship with Sanzar - both of which is a reflection of the standing in which Hoskins is now held in world rugby.
Out-going deputy president Alexander, who has worked closely with Hoskins throughout the past year and has certainly been active in many portfolios entrusted to him, go up against current vice-president Rautie Rautenbach, Pumas president Hein Mentz, Western Province president Tobie Titus and Saru interim executive committee chairman Jan Marais for his current position.
The candidates for vice-president are Griquas president Dawie Groenewald, the Leopards’ James Stoffberg, Marais and Rautenbach. |
|
