SARU to convert to a section 21 company

Mr Oregan Hoskins, the president of the South African Rugby Union, reaffirmed that the decision had been taken to streamline rugby administration and respond to a change in approach to the tax status of sporting bodies by the South African Revenue Service.

A Section 21 company is a not-for-profit association of members. If the decision is ratified it will have the effect of dissolving the South African Rugby Union and converting SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd into a Section 21 company. A new board will replace the existing President's Council and board of SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd.

“This was a very important decision that will simplify the governance of South African rugby,” said Mr Hoskins. “We will be consulting with all our stakeholders - players, sponsors and broadcasters - to make sure that we canvas as widely as possible on our future structure.

“But the point is that this is a major step forward that all the provinces have bought into and will have major benefits for our rugby.”

A panel of governance experts has been commissioned to draw up documents detailing the establishment of the new entity for discussion by members of the President's Council.

The intention is to have the new structure in operation on January 1, 2009.