Technicality saves Watson...for now

As previously reported by rugby365.com, more than 50 percent of the 129 affiliated clubs were in support of a vote of no confidence, however most were rejected because they did not have the required signatures of both the president and secretary of the club.

This was a near impossible task for most of the rural clubs, who in some instances have presidents and secretaries who reside enormous distances from each other. In that case, the club opted to have either the deputy president or deputy secretary sign the letter which was then submitted to the Annual General Meeting held on Thursday.

This website has learnt through its reliable source within the club structures of the Union that this technicality was used to consider those letters voided, which ultimately led to Watson keeping his post.

The clubs accepted this decision but have vowed to call for a Special General Meeting where they will once again table a vote of confidence, this time with the required signatures.

Further to this, the clubs also unanimously voted against accepting the financial statements. 87 of the 129 clubs present at the meeting rejected the statements while 42 were in favour of accepting it. Had the financials been accepted, this would have made the clubs liable to settle the enormous debt – which could be as much as R100 million of which approximately R20 million is owed to the tax man.

Surprisingly enough, all clubs were in favour of wanting SARU to send an administrator to oversee the running of the Union. However, whether this comes to fruition remains a mystery.

The clubs will submit their signed letters on Tuesday, where they will also call for a Special General Meeting to be held for the motion to be tabled.

By Tauriq Ebrahim