Alexander keeps SARU Presidency

He has retained the Presidency with "an absolute majority" at the Annual General Meeting in Cape Town on Friday.

Alexander, who was elected unopposed as SARU President in October 2016 after predecessor Oregon Hoskins resigned, was challenged by André May of the Leopards for the role of SARU President.

Alexander was re-elected as President for a four-year term.

Deputy President Francois Davids, who was challenged for his position by Jan Marais of the Griffons, also won by an absolute majority and will stay on for a two-year term.

In other election news, Lindsay Mould (Free State) and Hein Mentz (Pumas) were voted in as SARU executive members.

They replaced Boet Fick (who stepped down) and Vivian Lottering, who stood for re-election among six candidates for the role.

Those who lost out include Arthob Petersen (Boland), JJ van der Mescht (Blue Bulls) and Thelo Wakefield (Western Province).

Alexander thanked the General Council for their vote of confidence and said that he believed that continuity was good for the union.

"We are all very aware of the tough period that South African rugby has been through since 2016 when we endured what we refer to as a perfect storm, but I believe we have turned the corner," Alexander said.

"We embarked on a turnaround strategy to get our organisation back on track and we now have some continuity to deliver that strategy.

"We knew from the onset that this would not be a quick-fix, but a committed two and a half year strategic process.

"But people judge us only on the performance of the Springbok team – we know that and we accept that.

"I believe that we are going in the right direction under the auspices of our new Director of Rugby, Rassie Erasmus and that we will see the results on the field in due course."

The Springboks play their first Test of the year against Wales in Washington DC, United States, on June 2.