Former rugby boss Van Rooyen to be investigated

JOHANNESBURG – The investigation into corporate mismanagement by former South Arican Rugby Union president Brian van Rooyen will go ahead.

This assurance was given on Tuesday by the deputy CEO of SA Rugby, Mveleli Ncula. “The investigation will go ahead.After all, Brian van Rooyen must be given a chance to clear his name.That is his right,” Ncula said.An internal investigation last year found Van Rooyen guilty of corporate mismanagement, but a wider investigation was ordered and will be chaired by judge Joos Hefer.SA Rugby has also confirmed that Test venues would not be changed.This means that the Test allocated in a somewhat controversial manner to the Leopards, will be played at Rustenburg.There is great unhappiness about this decision because the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union has not staged a Tri-Nations Test for two years, while the Free State will again dip out on a Test this year.SA Rugby would probably have faced court action if hey had taken the Test away from the Leopards and staged it somewhere else.The Leopards have already undertaken to guarantee the R8 million to stage such a Test.It is believed that a mining concern in the region will provide the guarantee.Meanwhile, the South African Rugby Union annual meeting in Cape Town confirmed that the organisation has made a profit for the year-end December 31, 2005.The news came as Brian van Rooyen’s at times tempestuous two-year reign came to an end.The income statement for the year reflects a net profit of R6.4 million, after tax.The amount is a significant turnaround from the R12.8 million loss incurred in the fifteen months ended December 31 2004 – of which R7.8 million was attributable to certain abnormal items.Group reserves reached R38 million at 31 December 2005, which includes R28 million in cash and short-term investments.- Supersoccer”The investigation will go ahead.After all, Brian van Rooyen must be given a chance to clear his name.That is his right,” Ncula said.An internal investigation last year found Van Rooyen guilty of corporate mismanagement, but a wider investigation was ordered and will be chaired by judge Joos Hefer.SA Rugby has also confirmed that Test venues would not be changed.This means that the Test allocated in a somewhat controversial manner to the Leopards, will be played at Rustenburg.There is great unhappiness about this decision because the KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union has not staged a Tri-Nations Test for two years, while the Free State will again dip out on a Test this year.SA Rugby would probably have faced court action if hey had taken the Test away from the Leopards and staged it somewhere else.The Leopards have already undertaken to guarantee the R8 million to stage such a Test.It is believed that a mining concern in the region will provide the guarantee.Meanwhile, the South African Rugby Union annual meeting in Cape Town confirmed that the organisation has made a profit for the year-end December 31, 2005.The news came as Brian van Rooyen’s at times tempestuous two-year reign came to an end.The income statement for the year reflects a net profit of R6.4 million, after tax.The amount is a significant turnaround from the R12.8 million loss incurred in the fifteen months ended December 31 2004 – of which R7.8 million was attributable to certain abnormal items.Group reserves reached R38 million at 31 December 2005, which includes R28 million in cash and short-term investments. – Supersoccer