Possible replacements for Jurie Roux
SPOTLIGHT: With the dust net yet settled on Jurie Roux’s departure from the Chief Executive Officer hot seat at the South African Rugby Union, the attention turns to a possible replacement.
As @rugby365com reported earlier this week, SARU President Mark Alexander confirmed that Roux vacated his office as CEO.
“He is no longer CEO,” Alexander said in a quote, forwarded to @rugby365com, when asked for confirmation of reports that Roux has departed the union’s Plattekloof headquarters.
“He stepped down on December 31,” Alexander continued.
“He served the organisation for 12 years and he added significant value during his tenure.”
* (Vontinue below …)
#⃣NEWS: It was without much fanfare or a formal announcement, but Jurie Roux has vacated his office as Chief Executive Officer of the South African Rugby Union#Rugby 🏉#RugbyUnion🌍
🔗https://t.co/WQB5mUfu48 pic.twitter.com/vJAQ5BQIy8— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) January 5, 2023
In a statement issued on Friday, SARU revealed that they will have an acting CEO in place for the interim period – while the appointment process is ongoing.
The interim CEO is expected to be formally announced by the end of the month.
Media reports have linked Abubakar Saban, SARU’s incumbent Chief Finance Officer, yo the position before a permanent appointment is made.
South African franchise bosses Eduard Coetzee (Sharks) and Edgar Rathbone (Bulls) have been listed as possible replacements for Roux.
Media reports say Rathbone may be a slight favourite to succeed Roux, who has been with SARU since 2010.
Rathbone is a former junior-level scrumhalf, while Sharks chief Coetzee was a prop with franchises in South Africa and clubs in France.
South African rugby boss Mark Alexander said “Roux had resigned in the best interests of the game and the organisation.
“Jurie agreed to step down at the end of December. It is sad and he resigned due to things beyond his and our control,” added Alexander.
South Africa is the reigning World Cup champions and Roux oversaw the switch of the major domestic franchises two years ago from southern to northern hemisphere competitions.
However, Roux will continue with his mandate to get the equity transaction, which would represent a landmark moment in the local game’s financial history, ratified in the name of “business continuity”.
“To complete ongoing initiatives, in the best interests of rugby, Roux will be contracted to complete the implementation of the mooted equity transaction, as well as the handover to his successor, who will be appointed once the equity negotiations are finalised,” SARU said in a statement.
