SA Rugby have gagged the administrator they appointed to liaise with the cash-strapped EP Rugby Union until the liquidation order against the union is finalised or reversed.
SA Rugby media spokesman Andy Colquhoun said any questions relating to the troubled union must be directed to national body and that administrator Monde Tabata could not act as a spokesman.
In response for requests for Tabata to speak to the media and explain the way forward for EP Rugby Colquhoun said: “After internal discussion I am afraid that the status quo remains in place and if you have questions on the Kings they must come to this office.
“Until the liquidation application is finalised (or reversed) on May 10 there is very little that can be said.
“Monde is an administrator and an independent member of the SA Rugby executive and even in his role in the Eastern Cape is not in a position to act as a spokesman for SA Rugby.”
Shortly after he arrived in Port Elizabeth Tabata, speaking in his personal capacity, spoke about the possibility of a merger between EP and Border.
Earlier this month Saru said its executive council had appointed Tabata to liaise with the local union over the short-term to discuss ways and means to ensure rugby continues despite a liquidation application.
Insiders say Tabata will be in charge of administration and Francois Davids will be the chairman of the union.
Earlier Tabata said: “We really need to look at whether what has happened in these two unions does not present an opportunity to have a renewed Eastern Cape rugby focus.
“As the Eastern Cape we need to begin to have discussions about whether or not it is still viable to have Border and EP operating independently from each other.
“The challenges that have been experienced by Border and EP Rugby present the opportunity for a new vision and a fresh approach.”
Saru president Oregan Hoskins said the national body would agree to such a proposal, but said this would, however, have to be first endorsed by the leadership of the two unions.
Tabata’s merger idea between the troubled EP Rugby Union and Border was immediatedly shot down by Rugby Transformation Coalition (RTC) spokesman Bantwini Matika.
“A merger of this nature would be a disaster for black rugby. We would be minimising the opportunity for black players to play Currie Cup rugby.
“We have a huge pool of talent and the geographical difference between Port Elizabeth and East London is too far.
“This is something we could look at in 20 years. Now we have to look at getting EP Rugby stabilised and we need to find sponsors,” said Bantwini.
Bantwini made the point that Johannesburg and Pretoria were nearby cities and they had two unions and there were three unions in the Western Cape.
“We feel it is a premature call. We have a province to save from complete decimation and all our focus should be on that before thinking of a merger,” said Bantwini.
Meanwhile, the troubled EP Rugby Union will hold a special general meeting on April 30 when clubs will table a vote of no-confidence in the leadership of the cash-strapped union.
Clubs want the following issues discussed at the meeting:
1 The 2016 Currie Cup team;
2 Grand Challenge fixtures are not taking place until they are tabled to the union committee;
3 A vote of no-confidence; and
4 The appointment of auditors.
‘Gagged’ Tabata told silence is golden in EP saga – for now
SA Rugby media spokesman Andy Colquhoun said any questions relating to the troubled union must be directed to national body and that administrator Monde Tabata could not act as a spokesman.
In response for requests for Tabata to speak to the media and explain the way forward for EP Rugby Colquhoun said: “After internal discussion I am afraid that the status quo remains in place and if you have questions on the Kings they must come to this office.
“Until the liquidation application is finalised (or reversed) on May 10 there is very little that can be said.
“Monde is an administrator and an independent member of the SA Rugby executive and even in his role in the Eastern Cape is not in a position to act as a spokesman for SA Rugby.”
Shortly after he arrived in Port Elizabeth Tabata, speaking in his personal capacity, spoke about the possibility of a merger between EP and Border.
Earlier this month Saru said its executive council had appointed Tabata to liaise with the local union over the short-term to discuss ways and means to ensure rugby continues despite a liquidation application.
Insiders say Tabata will be in charge of administration and Francois Davids will be the chairman of the union.
Earlier Tabata said: “We really need to look at whether what has happened in these two unions does not present an opportunity to have a renewed Eastern Cape rugby focus.
“As the Eastern Cape we need to begin to have discussions about whether or not it is still viable to have Border and EP operating independently from each other.
“The challenges that have been experienced by Border and EP Rugby present the opportunity for a new vision and a fresh approach.”
Saru president Oregan Hoskins said the national body would agree to such a proposal, but said this would, however, have to be first endorsed by the leadership of the two unions.
Tabata’s merger idea between the troubled EP Rugby Union and Border was immediatedly shot down by Rugby Transformation Coalition (RTC) spokesman Bantwini Matika.
“A merger of this nature would be a disaster for black rugby. We would be minimising the opportunity for black players to play Currie Cup rugby.
“We have a huge pool of talent and the geographical difference between Port Elizabeth and East London is too far.
“This is something we could look at in 20 years. Now we have to look at getting EP Rugby stabilised and we need to find sponsors,” said Bantwini.
Bantwini made the point that Johannesburg and Pretoria were nearby cities and they had two unions and there were three unions in the Western Cape.
“We feel it is a premature call. We have a province to save from complete decimation and all our focus should be on that before thinking of a merger,” said Bantwini.
Meanwhile, the troubled EP Rugby Union will hold a special general meeting on April 30 when clubs will table a vote of no-confidence in the leadership of the cash-strapped union.
Clubs want the following issues discussed at the meeting:
1 The 2016 Currie Cup team;
2 Grand Challenge fixtures are not taking place until they are tabled to the union committee;
3 A vote of no-confidence; and
4 The appointment of auditors.
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