The 'sensitive conversations' that could change the Western Cape landscape

EXCLUSIVE: The La Motte saga this past year has opened the proverbial Pandora’s box for the game in the Western Cape and Boland regions.

When a Boland Rugby Union Special General Meeting voted in favour of La Motte, it set the stage for more clubs to cross over from Western Province to their neighbours.

Boland Rugby Union President Bennie van Rooi admitted that important lessons were learned from both the court case and SGM in May.

While the La Motte saga still makes headlines for all the wrong reasons, the BRU will abide by the court decision.

And that is why the BRU are now opting to find solutions in the boardroom to avoid the same pitfalls.

It is general knowledge that there are clubs and schools keen to cross over to Boland.

Leeuwille and Calvinia had previously shown interest in moving from Griquas to Boland, while conversations involving clubs from South Western Districts and Western Province are ongoing.

This includes conversations around the country’s most decorated university (club), Stellenbosch.

Van Rooi was unwilling to reveal details, but confirmed the dialogues between the four unions – Boland, WP, SWD and Griquas – are searching for solutions.

It is not just the Boland clubs involved in the WPRFU structures, but also schools that play in the Cape Town leagues that could be on the move.

Paarl is renowned for its strong rugby tradition and boasts several top schools, notably Paarl Boys’ High School (Boishaai) and Paarl Gimnasium.

Both schools have a rich history of producing talented players and competing at the highest levels of the schoolboy game.

Boland Landbou is another notable school in the Paarl area, known for its powerful teams and rich heritage.

Then there is Paul Roos Gymnasium, a leading public dual-medium high school for boys in the town of Stellenbosch.

Van Rooi was reluctant to put the proverbial ‘cart before the horse’, because of the drama surrounding the La Motte saga.

However, he admitted there are “sensitive conversations” surrounding clubs and schools from the Boland region that compete in the competitions of other provinces.

“There are conversations about the borders that first have to take place,” the BRU boss told @rugby365com.

“There are conversations between the three unions – WPRFU, BRU and SWD – after SARU directed us to discuss the subject.”

Van Rooi admitted it would be premature to disclose any details, as the La Motte saga still has some people bristling with enmity.

With the second part of the May court case stood over till February 2026 for a final hearing, it is understandable that the Boland boss wants to err on the side of caution.

“We just have to ensure we follow the correct processes and procedures.”

“The La Motte saga showed me that we have to be very careful when we have these conversations,” Van Rooi said about the potential of more clubs crossing over.

While these conversations are at a sensitive stage, the BRU is not sitting around idly.

They are already engaging with the Stadio higher education institution, to offer players post-school education and ensure players are not lured away from Boland for ‘studies’.

Stadio Chief Executive Officer Chris Vorster is in favour of building the relationship between his institution and the BRU.

“My role [as President] is not just a ceremonial position,” Van Rooi told @rugby365com, adding: ”

“We must be able to ensure a player has a healthy and sustainable career after school.

“I have seen too many players who, at the age of 35 or 40, don’t have a career.

“I am making it clear to the parents that a successful child, is a child with qualifications.”

With sound club and schools structures, Boland is near the top of the pile in terms of talent pipelines.

“We have the opportunities for players,” he told @rugby365com, adding: “We just have to ensure we retain the best players in our system.”

@king365ed
@rugby365com

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