South African chief follows Straeuli and resigns

Silas Nkanunu withdrew his nomination for re-election as president of the South African Rugby Football Union (SARFU) today, meaning…

Silas Nkanunu withdrew his nomination for re-election as president of the South African Rugby Football Union (SARFU) today, meaning he must stand down as vice-chairman at the International Rugby Board (IRB).

Nkanunu's move at SARFU's annual general meeting left the field clear for Johannesburg businessman Brian van Rooyen. Van Rooyen has led a challenge to unseat Nkanunu as heads roll in the country's rugby establishment after a disappointing World Cup and the notorious military-style pre-tournament boot camp.

Coach Rudolf Straeuli and Rian Oberholzer, head of SA Rugby, the game's professional arm, both resigned yesterday.

"We failed where it counted most," Nkanunu told the meeting. "The Springboks were not only disappointing in the World Cup in terms of performance, but also in the amount of black players. I have to regretfully submit that we have failed at least with the Springboks. It's a regret I accept with a heavy heart."

READ MORE

Nkanunu was elected unopposed as IRB vice-chairman on November 19th, but under IRB rules, its top officials must be members of their own national board.

Officials at the Cape Town meeting said Nkanunu had only been nominated for re-election as president, and so was not eligible for election as a board member.  Nkanunu's deputy, Ronnie Masson, also pulled out of re-election to the post.

The shake-up at the top of South African rugby follows allegations of racism within the team ahead of this year's World Cup and revelations of a military-style training camp where players were forced into a lake naked.

The side had a disappointing tournament, which ended with a quarter-final defeat to New Zealand.