Clubs seek answers on way forward in EP union

Clubs have listed a number of questions they want answered at what promises to be a fiery meeting at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

It is a thought that a vote of “no-confidence” will be tabled against president Cheeky Watson and the EP leadership as clubs bid to get answers to the ongoing cash crisis at the union.

The Rugby Transformation Coalition chairman Bantwini Matika says Eastern Province clubs must unite against Watson and his executive tomorrow so that rugby in the Eastern Cape can be cleaned up.

“Saturday will be remembered in history as a day that the rugby community of the Eastern Cape took a stand against one of the biggest sports crisis in the history of South Africa Rugby,” said Matika.

Last week Saru stepped in to take charge of the Southern Kings after an ongoing cash crisis raised concerns over whether they would be ready for Super Rugby next year.

Some questions clubs want answered are:

•The EPRU’s current funding situation.

• The fact that no official correspondence were received from clubs to inform them that EPRU has no money.

• That the union stopped having meetings with clubs with the result that clubs could not give input and discuss the business of EPRU.

• EPRU is operating unconstitutionally at present because meetings are not being called; and

• That money earmarked for sub-unions (rugby development) was not received.

The AGM will play out against a backdrop of players not being paid and serious questions being raised over the readiness to take part in Super Rugby next year.

EP Rugby have failed to say whether a vote of no-confidence has been filed against Watson and his executive. “We have made major progress in preparing an implementation plan for the Southern Kings franchise,” Saru chief executive Jurie Roux said following a task team meeting. “We have addressed issues around on-field and off-field structures and preparations and are now moving through our governance and communication processes with stakeholders.”