Jurie unveiled to the media
New SARU CEO – and Varsity Cup Chairman – Jurie Roux had his first appointment with SA’s rugby media on Monday afternoon.
Despite this ‘baptism of fire’, Roux was his usual honest and assured self as he told the media that he was eager to take on what he regarded “as the best job in the world” – when he assumes the operational leadership of the organisation on October 1 (revised from September 1).
Roux – who will be 40 when he officially takes the job – said he would take guidance from the Executive Council on the immediate direction, but that one of his first jobs would be to complete the amalgamation of SARU and SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd.
The VC Chairman was chosen as the new CEO at a meeting of the organisation’s General Council in Cape Town on Friday.
He is currently employed as the Senior Director of Finance and Asset Management at the University of Stellenbosch. Roux is also vice-President of the Western Province Rugby Football Union and Chairman of the famous Stellenbosch Rugby Club.
“This is the best job in the world,” he told reporters at SARU’s headquarters in Newlands, Cape Town.
“You are here for the business of rugby and I am passionate about the game and about rugby administration. But my first task will be to listen and speak to the executive council. I will take my lead from them and hear what they want me to do.
“Secondly, there’s the task of assisting with the finalisation of the amalgamation of the South African Rugby Union and the company, SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd.”
Roux applauded the work already done by the various departments within SARU and said that he would continue the work of development of the game at all levels.
“The South African Rugby Union is a very successful federation as it is,” he said.
“If you look at the facts, we are the current world champions – we have won World Cups, the Tri-Nations and the Super 14, our Sevens team has won the World Series and our women’s team is growing in strength.
“One must also not forget the excellent work other departments within the South African Rugby Union are putting in to ensure that there is success at developing the game at all levels.
“Obviously, I have been given the job of making a difference and I want to make sure that SARU raises the bar even higher – ultimately that’s how I am going to be judged,” concluded the former Maties fullback.
Jurie Roux factfile:
Full name: Jurie Wynand Roux
Born: September 5, 1970, Strand
Educated: Paarl Gymnasium, University of Stellenbosch
Qualifications:
B.Comm (Management Accounting); B.Comm (Financial Accounting); BBA (Business Management and Administration); LLB (Bachelor of Laws); MBA (Complete – awaiting approval of thesis).
Experience:
Senior director: Finance and Asset Management, University of Stellenbosch; Chairman African Sun Media (Pty) Ltd; Director PURCO (Pty) Ltd; Director SUSPI (Pty) Ltd; Chairman USKOR Trust.
Rugby credentials:
Player at Stellenbosch Rugby Football Club (fullback) 1989-1998; Maties tour manager (eight overseas tours) 2000 to present; assistant first team coach 2000-2001; Maties first team manager 2002-2004; Chairman Stellenbosch Rugby Football Club 2004 to present; team manager SA Students since 2007; Director WP Rugby (Pty) Ltd since 2008; Vice-president Western Province Rugby Football Union since 2008; Chairman Varsity Cup Board since 2009.
