Saru ain’t broke. Why fix it?

So the nominations are in and the fierce lobbying, counter lobbying and electioneering starts. This elections, while not necessarily being the most crucial in the history of the organisation (in its many incarnations) will give us a view of just how much it has matured from the politics and cronyism riddled mess it was up until (embarrassingly) recently.

Why do I say that? Well in the past South African Rugby Union office has always been seen as little more than a gravy train. It was a case of get in there, get your friends snouts in the trough and sod the rugby. Oh, and battle government every so often. As long as the Boks kept winning it was all good. And if the Bokke weren’t winning, fire the coach, heap all the blame on his head and then get on a business class seat to a presidential box in some far off stadium.

The Hoskins era changed all that. The Boks have gone from strength to strength on the field. Messy political battles fought in the media are a thing of the past and relations with government have never been better.

It is very telling that Hoskins’ only rival for the post of president is his own deputy. This speaks of an organisation that is full of faith in how thing are currently run. No one is seeking a revolution at the palace. That surely is a first for SA Rugby. The lack of acrimony between the two men tells a story in itself. The two gentlemen also seem to me to be pushing the same agenda with but a few differences in the nuances of the broader plan.

One wonders then, if there would be any sense if having change at the top? Hoskins has only been in the position for four years. Saru is in the middle of a major organisational structure change, the Bokke are about to embark on their busiest season outside of World Cup years and major development initiatives are at crucial phases of implementation. Now is not the time to rock the boat for the sake of change.

Let us continue with the current path of progress and success, surely only good lies ahead for our beloved sport.

The nominees and the respective positions are all listed below.
President: Mark Alexander, Oregan Hoskins (incumbent)
Deputy President: Mark Alexander (incumbent), Jan Marais, Hein Mentz, Rautie Rautenbach, Tobie Titus
Vice President: Dawie Groenewald, Jan Marais, Rautie Rautenbach (incumbent), James Stoffberg
Executive Council (four to be elected): Altmann Allers, Francois Davids, Boet Fick, Dawie Groenewald, Peter Hassard, Jan Marais, James Stoffberg, Sampie Pienaar