Homeless, dysfunctional Border Bulldogs have been thrown a R4.2-million lifeline by the government.
The cash injection was announced on Friday by MEC for the department of sport, recreation, arts and culture (DSRAC) in the Eastern Cape, Bulelwa Tunyiswa. The R4.2m is expected to be enough to get the side back into the Currie Cup and SuperSport Challenge competitions.
Tunyiswa said the money will be administered by SA Rugby Union (Saru) and must be spent on assembling the team, preparing and kitting it out and getting the players to games.
Addressing a press conference at the DSRAC offices in East London, Tunyiswa said the money would not be channelled into rehiring fired Border Rugby Union (BRU) workers or to settle the debts of BRU.
Buffalo City Metro (BCM) spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya said Saru would settle the BRU’s outstanding debts.
The BRU has fallen behind with their rental at the BCM stadium.
Saru took charge of BRU after suspending all seven executive members in September 2018 and placing the union under administration.
The union's finances have been in a chaotic state for some time. On April 26, players took the BRU to court for non-payment of salaries.
The union was saved when BCM injected R800,000 into its coffers.
Tunyiswa said the latest lifeline comes following talks between DSRAC, Saru, the Eastern Cape Sport Confederation and BCM.
Tunyiswa said during the meetings it became clear that the move to “rescue” Border Bulldogs should be accompanied by a financial commitment from the province.
“The utilisation of the funding will be administrated by Saru as guided by the service level agreement signed between them and DSRAC.
“The department remains committed to assist to solve any challenges related to the situation of Border Rugby, including club competitions and access to facilities,” said Tunyiswa.
Tunyiswa was joined by Saru executive member Monde Tabata and DSRAC senior manager Bafundi Makubalo.
Tabata was charged with turning things around for BRU as an interim administrator in 2014-2016.
Tabata said: “ The club suffered dry seasons without getting enough sponsors and it owed Sars lots of money. You can never run a club without sponsors. Two- thirds of the budget should come from sponsorships. BRU suffered what is called fiscal clinch.”
Border Bulldogs scrumhalf Bangi Kobese said: “It's been a tough six months. We were told to keep fit as there were plans to get us back into playing again. The majority were playing in the Gold Cup. We are really grateful. The situation has made us more hungry for success.”
Makubalo said the players were in great shape as the majority were playing in the Eastern Cape Super 12 and Gold Cup. Tabata lauded the success of the BRU in shaping rugby in the country...