The South African Rugby Union’s refusal to cut ties with disgraced former CEO Jurie Roux speaks volumes. Or at least it should.
Recently, Netwerk24 reported that SA Rugby is interested in retaining the consultancy services of Roux. It has been reported that the controversial figure is in line to retain a consultancy role concerning commercial aspects of ‘The Greatest Rugby Rivalry’ series between the Springboks and the All Blacks that is planned for 2026.
Roux, who was SA Rugby's CEO from 2010 to 2022, was found guilty of misappropriating Stellenbosch University funds and funnelling it into the institution's rugby programmes between 2002 and 2010.
Despite maintaining that he never misappropriated the money without the university's knowledge while he was financial director and chairman of the Maties Rugby Club, the arbitrator's award was that he pay the university back R37-million for the misallocation of funds - a ruling he has appealed unsuccessfully numerous times.
The Constitutional Court is Roux’s only remaining hope; his application for leave to appeal the Western Cape High Court's judgment failed in the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein.
Continued involvement despite financial scandal
Back in 2022, it was confirmed that Roux was set to vacate his position as SA Rugby CEO. His contract was only supposed to come to an end after the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France.
It was a decision deemed long overdue by many in South African rugby circles.
Roux was replaced by Rian Oberholzer, but the fact that he remained associated with SA Rugby raised no shortage of questions.
Bizarrely, despite his financial scandal, Roux has maintained his association with SARU. He served in an advisory role during their unsuccessful hunt for an equity partner. Now, he seems set to feature again (or continue to do so) as SARU take on a new venture in the form of ‘The Greatest Rugby Rivalry’.
SARU ignore Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Sport'S Concerns
The involvement of Roux in the proposed equity deal between SARU and the Ackerley Sports Group evoked significant reaction from the Portfolio Committee on Sports, Arts, and Culture.
During a briefing with the members of the Committee in December 2024, SARU confirmed that Roux remained a consultant on SARU’s books, despite his exit in 2022.
According to the governing body, Roux would not receive any commission from the Ackerley deal and acted in a purely advisory role to Oberholzer.
While SARU president Mark Alexander defended Roux’s involvement, some members of the committee made it clear that they strongly opposed Roux’s continued involvement in SA Rugby-related matters.
While SARU’S seemingly unshakeable faith in Roux defies all logic for obvious reasons, perhaps the most questionable move is them involving Roux in the Boks-All Blacks series despite the heavy backlash they faced from the portfolio committee on sport during the Ackerley discussions a mere three months ago.
When that deal sunk, Roux’s association with the organisation should have ended as well. In fact, it should have ended the day his contract did.
Series a much-needed moneymaker for SA Rugby
During the Boks-All Blacks series, New Zealand is expected to play eight matches during their tour of South Africa, including three Tests, four matches against the United Rugby Championship franchises, and one against the SA ‘A’ side.
Should such a concept come to fruition, it could be a significant financial boost for SA Rugby – with no equity deals currently on the table.
Ultimately, the question needs to be posed - does SA Rugby’s refusal to distance itself from Roux prove their desperation, and does his proposed involvement in the series somehow imply that they are reliant on Roux to pull off financially-rewarding concepts and make them commercially viable?
