Outcome of SARU judicial hearing of player movements
The South African Rugby Union has confirmed the outcome of its judicial hearing relating to complaints by the Eagles Rugby (Pty) Ltd and Western Province Rugby, that the Griffons and the Vodacom Free State Cheetahs fielded ineligible players in the Absa Currie Cup First Division and Absa Currie Cup Premier Division respectively.
In interpreting the contents of Regulation 7.5 read together with the e-mail correspondence dated 3 July 2008 and forwarded by the Manager Legal of SARU to the Free State Cheetahs, the appointed Judicial Officer Dekker Govender ruled that he is satisfied there has been no breach in this respect by either the Griffons or the Free State Cheetahs.
Earlier this week SARU received a complaint from the Eagles Rugby (Pt) Ltd in terms of Regulation 7.5 of SARU Regulations for Player Status, Player Contracts and Player Movement. The Eagles complained that Hennie Daniller played for the Free State Cheetahs against the Falcons on the evening of 26 September 2008 in an Absa Currie Cup First Division fixture. The Eagles complained that as a result of the above mentioned player movement that there has been a breach of Regulation 7.5.
WP Rugby also lodged a complaint against the Free State Cheetahs emanating out of the same incident in terms of the said Regulation. In addition WP Rugby had also lodged a complaint that the Free State Cheetahs breached Regulation 7.5 by fielding the following players that played for the Griffons this season on diverse occasions: Jacques-Louis Potgieter, Hendrik Meyer, Jandre Blom and Ashley Johnson.
On perusing the content of Regulation 7.5, the Judicial Officer ruled that he is satisfied that although the players mentioned played for both provinces during 2008 season thus far, neither province participated in the same competition. The Cheetahs were at all material times participating in the Absa Currie Cup Premier Division whereas the Griffons were playing in the Absa Currie Cup First Division.
RECOMMENDATION
Due to this Regulation lending itself to abuse, the Judicial Officer recommends a cooling off period of for two weeks before a player becomes eligible to play for his new province and visa versa.
