Rugby World Cup 2007
Rugby boss stripped of his powers

Johan Prinsloo has been stripped of his position as the managing director of SA Rugby. Prinsloo was appointed managing director under Brian van Rooyen's term as president about two years ago.

Until now, Prinsloo has been SA Rugby's managing director and Sarfu's CEO. Prinsloo, who is currently in Dublin on a business visit, confirmed that he will retain his position as CEO.

He indicated that the matter is now in his lawyer's hands and he will discuss it further with the rugby executive on his return.

Ministry to intervene in search for rugby manager
Meanwhile, the sports ministry has intervened in the search for the appointment of a Springbok rugby manager. In a letter to SA Rugby Union (Saru), the minister recommends the widening of the net to include coloureds as well.

Moldovan teacher plans return fixture

Ion Cebotari, a rugby union teacher on a two-week fact-finding visit to Bradford Grammar School, would like to return some day.

In fact, he has made the first move in paving the way for staff at the school to go to his country of Moldova.

Cebotari, who is based at the Comuna Ciorescu School in the capital Chisinau, said: "Both options would be great, and while there are no plans yet I think it would be great for the BGS staff to come and visit Moldova."

Links between the schools have been forged by the International Rugby Board's (IRB) SOS Kit Aid scheme.

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Position Of Managing Director Of SA Rugby

SA Rugby today announced that as part of the ongoing review of its structures and operating model, the positions of Chief Executive Officer of the South African Rugby Union (“SARU") and Managing Director of SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd (“the company") would be separated, in order to achieve full and proper focus and control over the two operating entities. At present, both positions are held by Mr Johan Prinsloo.After discussions held over the weekend between the leadership of SA Rugby and Mr Prinsloo, it was agreed that he would continue to hold the position of CEO of SARU, but would relinquish his position of MD of the company with immediate effect.As an interim arrangement and while the process of recruiting an MD is in motion, SA Rugby's Financial Director, Mr Basil Haddad, will assume the role of Acting MD.ENDS .

Thursday night rugby confirmed

Controversial Thursday night rugby will become a reality when the national provincial championship enters its second phase this month.

Despite criticism from a number of provinces, the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) last night confirmed Air New Zealand Cup matches would be played on Thursdays after a request from competition broadcaster Sky Television.

Southland and Taranaki will play the first match in the new slot when they meet in a repechage game at Invercargill on September 21.

The following week fellow repechage contenders Manawatu and Bay of Plenty meet at Palmerston North.

Both games kickoff at the earlier than usual night time of 7.05pm.

Major unions have sidestepped the Thursday schedule, according to the draw for the top six and repechage rounds.

Sth Canty's Fine Heavily Reduced

South Canterbury has bowed its head before the New Zealand Rugby Union and received a much-needed dose of leniency over the $25,000 fine it was handed down for fielding an ineligible player in its Ranfurly Shield challenge. The South Canterbury union appealed the initial NZRU fine of $25,000 and today had that figure reduced to $7500 by the NZRU's Appeal Council. In effect the decision was one of leniency with the council being made aware of South Canterbury's struggle to pay the initial fine and their remorse at breaching the rule in the first place. The South Canterbury union was last month fined the initial figure of $25,000 for fielding an ineligible player in this year's Ranfurly Shield challenge against Canterbury. And though the council found that the sub-committee's finding was justified on the information that it had available, it was noted that broader financial information now to hand showed a substantially reduced ability to pay the fine.