SA Rugby gets 2023 Rugby World Cup bid endorsement from government

SA Rugby will continue with its bid to host Rugby World Cup 2023 with the full endorsement of national government.

That’s after Minister of Sports and Recreation Thulas Nxesi rescinded a ban on hosting for ‘mega-events’ imposed on rugby last April by his predecessor Fikile Mbalula.

Nxesi made the decision based on the outcomes of a revision of a report from the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) on Sports Transformation.

The original EPG reports‚ based on its findings in the years 2014/15‚ said that rugby had failed on two of 13 barometers set out.

• Sports Minister Nxesi grants reprieve to Cricket SA‚ the SA Rugby Union and Netball SASports Minister Thembelani "Thulas" Nxesi has confirmed that Cricket South Africa (CSA)‚ South African Rugby Union (SARU) and Netball South Africa (NSA) will be allowed to bid and host international tournaments after their ban was lifted with immediate effect on Tuesday. 

After a 12 month review period‚ rugby‚ along with cricket and netball‚ which were similarly ‘punished’ by Mbalula‚ have met the criteria laid out by the EPG.

Nxesi had no hesitation in throwing government’s full formal backing behind the RWC 2023 bid‚ which was severely hamstrung by Mbalula’s dictate.

“I would like to congratulate rugby‚ cricket and netball on their improved scores‚ you were clearly willing to walk the extra mile.

• SA Rugby set free to bid for 2023 World CupSA rugby is expected to have its ban on bidding for the right to host "mega events" rescinded today, when a new report from the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) on sports transformation gives them a pass mark. 

“Their right to bid for and host major sporting events‚ which was revoked before‚ is hereby immediately reinstated.

“But we would like to re-emphasise our expectations for sporting federations to take charge and provide leadership at school and club levels.”

Mark Alexander‚ president of SA Rugby‚ said from a World Rugby meeting in Tokyo: “This is great news and a tribute to the work that the sport has been doing in recent years to stay in tune and relevant to modern South Africa.

• EPG report set to overturn ban on rugbySA Rugby is set to officially have its ban on bidding for the right to host ‘mega-events’ rescinded on Tuesday when a new report from the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) on Sports Transformation gives them a pass mark. 

“We can now put the finishing touches to what we believe will be an outstanding bid to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

“We have kept the ministry up to speed with our thinking and state of preparation throughout the suspension and continue to enjoy an excellent relationship with our sports leaders.”

The EPG Report measures South African sports federations on a number of national imperatives to provide greater access and opportunity to sport for all.

• Super Rugby defeat to Highlanders could relegate Cheetahs' junk statusCheetahs coach Franco Smith is on a highway to nowhere and a loss to the Highlanders on Friday evening could confirm their junk Super Rugby status. 

The report examines sports from school level to elite level – on and off the field – under demographics‚ performance‚ governance‚ access‚ preferential procurement and employment equity.

Ireland and France are also bidding to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup tournament.

The winning bidder will be named by World Rugby on 15 November.

- TMG Digital/TMG Sport