Presidency race could get ugly
22 Feb 2010
The bad blood between Regan Hoskins and Mark Alexander could open the door for a third party in the race for the Saru presidency.
Incumbent president Hoskins has come to the end of his second term but is interested in a third spell at the helm of SA rugby. His ambition is under threat, however, after his deputy Mark Alexander has confirmed he will also run for presidency at the elections in March.
In doing so, Alexander has broken a promise he made to Hoskins. The two agreed that the former would not compete for the head position if Hoskins made himself available for a third term.
Alexander has defended his decision by saying Hoskins didn’t make it clear to him whether he would be interested. The Saru deputy president also said in a statement there is still a ‘good working relationship’ between them.
But a reliable source at a major union has told keo.co.za this is not entirely true.
‘In a way Hoskins didn’t make it entirely clear to him [Alexander], but he also didn’t give an indication that he wasn’t interested in a third term,’ the source said. ‘It’s really sad because they were very close and worked very well together. Now this has created a stir within the union.’
The source added that Hoskins didn’t make his decision clear because he wasn’t confident of being favoured to retain his position.
‘Hoskins was worried that the unions wouldn’t vote for him to stay on. That’s why he wasn’t sure whether he should run for a third term,’ the source said.
‘But now Hoskins made a bad move. He sent an e-mail to all the presidents of the various unions, asking if he has their vote at the next elections. I’m not sure whether he sent this before or after Alexander made his decision [to run for presidency], but I know several presidents didn’t like this route taken.
‘If you feel that you are the right man for the job, then go for it. Don’t do things like that. Why start an election within an election?’
The source believes if Hoskins and Alexander are the front runners at the election, the unions will be unable to decide between the two and this will create an opening for a third party.
‘I know the unions will not be able to favour the one over the other. There aren’t any candidates that have made it clear if they would compete as well, but if a big name comes up, he could end up as the favourite because of this,’ the source said.
‘I know Mike Stofile could see this as a perfect opportunity, but he shot himself in the foot after he lost to Hoskins at the last elections when he said there is no place for black people in South African rugby. People won’t forget about that too easily, especially the white individuals.
‘Falcons president Rautie Rautenbach has also indicated that he is interested in running, but I doubt he will be a strong enough contender.’
Meanwhile, it’s been revealed that WP president Tobie Titus will run for the Saru deputy president post.
‘With Alexander running for president, there’s a vacancy in the deputy role,’ the source said.
‘I’m not sure who else is interested in the position, but Tobie has confirmed he will compete for it.’
By Gareth Duncan
10 Comments
22 Feb 2010, 06:29 am
Just not Stofile, Andre Markgraaf or that TOSSEr of an ex-Lions presdient. F!@#$wit!
No people associated with the Lions for the last fifteen years- because they would not have a clue how to run a tight ship, or organise a piss up in a brewery.
I will say this: Under Hoskins things have been relatively smooth and have settled down (once they stopped trying to put stumbling blocks in the path of the national coach i.e. Jake White, and he left).
Maybe they are too scared of being called racists to do anything dumb to PdV? Whatever- its seems to be working.
I dont know if the professionalism at SARU comes from Pdv and his co-coaches, that is dragging them kicking and screaming into planning etc, and demanding clarity for once, or if they have actually pulled their own finger out for once.
It is remarkable that when you have someone who does have teh support of all, and no trouble makers, how things can settle and rugby comes first. Now they must just keep all those other **** stirrers out.
22 Feb 2010, 07:37 am
stofile not running??
22 Feb 2010, 07:48 am
Can it get uglier. Too many politcians and not enough real leaders. Hell these are the idiots that sacked a world cup winning coach. Other countries het gets knighted we sack him cos he is White.
Can see a lot of guys going to Melbourne Storm. Oh well mediocrity in the name of BEE.
22 Feb 2010, 07:56 am
@grant10:
Stofile will run.
What will be interesting is to see who he teams up with.
Stofile knows he won’t win this on his own.
22 Feb 2010, 08:40 am
Bring back Brian van Rooyen or Louis Luyt!
22 Feb 2010, 11:14 am
@grant10: with that pens it’s obvious, he ain’t running!
22 Feb 2010, 12:18 pm
@grant10: He’s not running because I’m busy reloading
22 Feb 2010, 19:29 pm
why does hoskins want a 3rd term is he becoming like mugabe now..fk man move on
22 Feb 2010, 20:39 pm
The political animals in SARU/SARFU or whatever it is called, will always create problems from solutions, conjure up controversy without regard to the actual game, rub their hands over the money. And you know what – SA Rugby will still chug on – SA Rugby achieves results despite these fools. It could be much better (2 WCs not bad, though), but thats how it seems to have always been – Politics constraining talent and ability, not encouraging it.
23 Feb 2010, 12:36 pm
Bring back Brian van Rooyen.
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