Eastern Cape Super 12 rugby clubs were left fuming as confusion reigned over the future of the popular pre-season event.This after had been informed that this year’s event was “off at the moment”, contrary to previous ones that started late in January.
The Border Rugby Union (BRU) and EP Rugby Union (EPRU) affiliated clubs vented their frustrations at the provincial department of sport, recreation, arts and culture’s (DSRAC) saying they were “disappointed” at the apparent cancellation of the competition they used to prepare for their pre-season preparations.
But, after numerous enquiries by the Dispatch, DSRAC poured cold water over the clubs’ claims saying the competition was “on”.
However DSRAC was contradicted by Super 12 administrator, EPRU’s Jap Claasen said that the cup competition was “off at the moment”, putting the blame squarely on DSRAC’s door.
“We communicated to clubs that the Super 12 is off at the moment because we have not heard anything from DSRAC who are the funders of the competition,” said Claasen.
The department’s spokesman Andile Nduna fired back, saying “we have never instructed them (EPRU) to issue any statements to this effect”.
Clubs stood their ground saying they were “disappointed” at the apparent cancellation of the competition that was the bedrock of their preparations at the star of every year.
Furthermore, claimed the clubs, speculation doing the rounds was that the real reason for the canning of the Super 12 was the shenanigans going on at the cash-strapped EPRU which was coordinating the competition in previous years.
“The reason for the cancellation was not clear in the communication we received but the talk among clubs is that DSRAC was skeptical of giving money to EP with their recent documented crisis in finances,” said Progress Rugby Club secretary Rodney Joseph.
Nduna could only respond by saying “no” without explaining when asked if the Super 12 no-show had anything to do with funding.
The Super 12, for the past five years that it was bankrolled by DSRAC received praises from all and sundry saying it was a revolutionary move to strengthen club rugby in the province.
The high intensity competition, traditionally taking place between late January and March was made up of 12 of the best club sides in the Eastern Cape, six from Border and the same number from PE.
However this year, that will not be the case and clubs will have to fend for themselves organising competitive pre-season matches.
Not only are clubs affected in terms of matches with the absence of the Super 12 but they will also fill the financial pinch as the competition provided them with free kits and other perks.
“We are very disappointed that the Super 12 is no more because it was integral to our plans for the year ahead,” said WSU All Blacks coach Sipho Metula.
“Now we must look elsewhere for other activities,” Winter Rose and Old Boyz concurred.
East London Police Rugby president Mike Campbell weighed in: “We were informed that they (DSRAC) have no funding for the competition this year.”
Leon Yiliwe of Berlin Tigers echoed Metula, adding that the Super 12 was “coming in handy big time for struggling clubs”.
Giuliano Flotman, chairman for Brumbies in PE said the competition provided financial relief for them. Nduna, in what could be viewed as a saying the absence of Super 12 is not the end of the world said the competition “is not the only developmental one, there are numerous developmental structures” which he could not mention. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
Fury over club tourney
This after had been informed that this year’s event was “off at the moment”, contrary to previous ones that started late in January.
The Border Rugby Union (BRU) and EP Rugby Union (EPRU) affiliated clubs vented their frustrations at the provincial department of sport, recreation, arts and culture’s (DSRAC) saying they were “disappointed” at the apparent cancellation of the competition they used to prepare for their pre-season preparations.
But, after numerous enquiries by the Dispatch, DSRAC poured cold water over the clubs’ claims saying the competition was “on”.
However DSRAC was contradicted by Super 12 administrator, EPRU’s Jap Claasen said that the cup competition was “off at the moment”, putting the blame squarely on DSRAC’s door.
“We communicated to clubs that the Super 12 is off at the moment because we have not heard anything from DSRAC who are the funders of the competition,” said Claasen.
The department’s spokesman Andile Nduna fired back, saying “we have never instructed them (EPRU) to issue any statements to this effect”.
Clubs stood their ground saying they were “disappointed” at the apparent cancellation of the competition that was the bedrock of their preparations at the star of every year.
Furthermore, claimed the clubs, speculation doing the rounds was that the real reason for the canning of the Super 12 was the shenanigans going on at the cash-strapped EPRU which was coordinating the competition in previous years.
“The reason for the cancellation was not clear in the communication we received but the talk among clubs is that DSRAC was skeptical of giving money to EP with their recent documented crisis in finances,” said Progress Rugby Club secretary Rodney Joseph.
Nduna could only respond by saying “no” without explaining when asked if the Super 12 no-show had anything to do with funding.
The Super 12, for the past five years that it was bankrolled by DSRAC received praises from all and sundry saying it was a revolutionary move to strengthen club rugby in the province.
The high intensity competition, traditionally taking place between late January and March was made up of 12 of the best club sides in the Eastern Cape, six from Border and the same number from PE.
However this year, that will not be the case and clubs will have to fend for themselves organising competitive pre-season matches.
Not only are clubs affected in terms of matches with the absence of the Super 12 but they will also fill the financial pinch as the competition provided them with free kits and other perks.
“We are very disappointed that the Super 12 is no more because it was integral to our plans for the year ahead,” said WSU All Blacks coach Sipho Metula.
“Now we must look elsewhere for other activities,” Winter Rose and Old Boyz concurred.
East London Police Rugby president Mike Campbell weighed in: “We were informed that they (DSRAC) have no funding for the competition this year.”
Leon Yiliwe of Berlin Tigers echoed Metula, adding that the Super 12 was “coming in handy big time for struggling clubs”.
Giuliano Flotman, chairman for Brumbies in PE said the competition provided financial relief for them. Nduna, in what could be viewed as a saying the absence of Super 12 is not the end of the world said the competition “is not the only developmental one, there are numerous developmental structures” which he could not mention. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
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