Kevin de Klerk and Thelo Wakefield have made themselves unavailable as candidates for the role of SA Rugby president ahead of the forthcoming elections.
Mark Alexander has been president since October 2016 when the vacancy was created by the resignation of Oregan Hoskins. It remains unclear whether Alexander will face any opposition from other prospective nominees.
De Klerk, the Golden Lions Rugby Union president, has been approached to stand for the SA Rugby presidency but ruled himself out of the election process due to medical issues.
Wakefield, in his capacity as WP Rugby Football Union president, has confirmed to Rapport that he will not throw his name in the hat to challenge Alexander. Instead, he’ll make himself available for one of the two vacant SA Rugby executive committee memberships.
‘Integrity and loyalty are important to me,’ Wakefield told Rapport. ‘As I understand, Boet Fick [former Blue Bulls president] will resign from the executive committee. I’m making myself available for that position.’
The vice-presidency position will not be filled again which makes the Leopards’ James Stoffberg the last person to occupy the post. Francois Davids is the current deputy president.
SA Rugby’s franchise committee, smaller unions and transformation committee will confer in Johannesburg on 20, 21 and 22 February.
Photo: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix
