South Africa Rugby to hold ‘bosberaad’ on Spears

April 19, 2006

Via Cape Times:

SA Rugby has delayed its decision on the Southern Spears' participation in next year's Super 14 until Friday, after a "bosberaad" (strategy meeting held outdoors, eg, game reserve) by the presidents of the 14 provincial unions.

After debating the issue at length on Tuesday, the governing body's board of directors released a statement saying it had "decided not to announce a decision before receiving further input from the meeting of the presidents of the provincial unions", scheduled to take place in Cape Town on Friday.

SA Rugby refused to take questions from the media on Tuesday, but the decision may be delayed by the Griquas Rugby Union's court application challenging this year's Currie Cup structure.

It was decided in 2005 that there would be an eight-team premier league, with the Spears entrenched alongside Western Province, the Blue Bulls, Lions, Free State and Sharks.

The other two teams would qualify through the Vodacom Cup, but Griquas believe performances of the past 10 years should be taken into account.

"It is important to note that the decision on the Spears franchise is within the context of the competitions structure SA Rugby is to adopt in the near future," said board chairperson Mpumelelo Tshume.

Source: IOL

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