New twist in SARU equity deal

NEWS: Minister of Sport, arts and culture, Gayton McKenzie is set to consult with the South African Rugby Union leadership and the US-based Ackerley Sports Group in London.

The meeting is in regard to a proposed commercial rights deal for Springbok rugby which has the potential to inject over ZAR1-Billion into South African Rugby.

McKenzie stepped in earlier this year to postpone a planned Special General Meeting to consider a proposal from the Ackerley Sports group.

The meeting was set to take place in Cape Town on October 17.

The proposed deal has sparked strong and divided opinions, with seven of the 14 unions in South Africa not in favour of the deal, which includes URC powerhouses the Lions, Sharks, Bulls and Stormers.

For the deal to be set in stone, 75 percent of the unions need to be in favour of it before SARU can proceed.

McKenzie is in London, where the Springboks are currently on their year-end tour.

Following this he will have a meeting with the 14 respective South African unions on November 18.

“We need to ensure that South Africa attracts foreign direct investment and that the Springbok brand grows and becomes more valuable globally,” Mckenzie said.

“We also, however, need to ensure that South Africans are part of a deal that is so important to South African identity and patriotism,” he added.