SARPA calls for SANZAR circus to end

The South African Player’s Association has called on the SANZAR partners to stop their threats of dissolving the partnership.

Piet Heymans called on the SANZAR partners to resolve current issues which led to threats of a split to be dealt with in a calm professional manner.

This comes after weeks of accusations of unfair treatment from particularly the South African Rugby Union and its president Oregan Hoskins.  The situation reached a boiling point when Bok coach Peter de Villiers was called before a disciplinary committee for comments he made insinuating that there was a conspiracy against the Springboks.

SA Rugby’s Hoskins responded to the call for a disciplinary hearing that he and SA Rugby viewed this as a ‘declaration of war’.

De Villiers was subsequently found not guilty on the charge of bringing the game into disrepute but this did not stop SA Rugby from publicly announcing that they are looking at options outside of the current SANZAR partnership hinting at a possible partnership with unions in the Northern Hemisphere.

Heymans appealed to the organisation to keep in mind the interest and importance of the players involved from all three nations and asked that if issues like these are considered, that players or player representatives be included in negotiations.

SARPA Media Release:

The South African Rugby Players Association (SARPA) which represents the contracted rugby players in South Africa has called on SANZAR to deal with the current challenges and differences in a calm and professional manner.

“The players view Super Rugby and the Tri-Nations as the best rugby competitions in the world and also the toughest to participate in. The players are concerned that emotions are driving the current differences within SANZAR. Should the SANZAR partnership be dissolved it could have serious implications, not just for South African rugby but world rugby as a whole,” says Piet Heymans CEO of SARPA.

“The professional players are currently being paid by the proceeds of the SANZAR broadcasting agreement and this is the lifeline of South African rugby and should not unnecessary be put at risk as it could affect hundreds of professional players in South Africa, New Zealand and Australia should this partnership be dissolved,” continues Heymans.

“During the renewal of the SANZAR broadcast deal various alternatives were investigated and the reality is that there are not viable options that can provide the players and the public with exciting world class rugby. SARPA believes that the current strained relationship within SANZAR should be addressed in a constructive manner and that ways and means should be investigated and implemented to try and resolve the differences within SANZAR in a professional manner. These differences should not lead to the dissolving of the SANZAR partnership but like any other partnership differences will arise but it is important how they are addressed and dealt with.” says Heymans.

“The players have a vested interest in SANZAR and the administration of professional rugby. It may well be in the interest of SANZAR that the players are more directly involved in the administration of SANZAR, especially when important decisions and differences are made and discussed,” concludes Heymans.

Tags: Oregan Hoskins, Peter de Villiers, SA Rugby, SA Rugby Players Association, SANZAR, SARPA, Springboks