Stones tipped for Saru job

CAPE TOWN – Jonathan Stones, a former executive at Goodyear, is expected to be named as the new managing director of South Africa Rugby this week.

“We have offered the position to Jonathan,” South African Rugby Union (Saru) president Oregan Hoskins said on Wednesday. “We still have to agree on his salary but we want him to start working as soon as possible.”The managing director of SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd heads the professional arm of the SA Rugby Union.”South African rugby should be managed by a managing director; not by elected officials,” Hoskins said.The position of managing director has been vacant since Johan Prinsloo was relieved of the role last year.Prinsloo, who remains chief executive of Saru, was appointed to both positions during the presidency of Brian van Rooyen.Stones emerged as top candidate after a thorough process under the chairmanship of Dr Frederik van Zyl Slabbert “Jonathan is the man to set the professional arm of SA rugby in motion,” Hoskins said on Wednesday.”I was impressed when I met him.”He struck me as a person who would work seven days a week; day and night.He is energetic and innovative and gets on well with people.He will expect a lot from his staff and will challenge people to reach goals.”Our provinces and shareholders want to see that the head-office in Cape Town manages rugby at all levels and is not merely a white elephant.”Stones has never held a position in rugby but Hoskins believes this will be to the benefit of SA rugby.”He played rugby at school and enjoys sport.However, he comes in from the outside and therefore carries no baggage.”The appointment of Stones will not diminish the decision-making powers of the presidents’ council but it should make a notable difference to the effective management of SA rugby.Die Burger”We still have to agree on his salary but we want him to start working as soon as possible.”The managing director of SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd heads the professional arm of the SA Rugby Union.”South African rugby should be managed by a managing director; not by elected officials,” Hoskins said.The position of managing director has been vacant since Johan Prinsloo was relieved of the role last year.Prinsloo, who remains chief executive of Saru, was appointed to both positions during the presidency of Brian van Rooyen.Stones emerged as top candidate after a thorough process under the chairmanship of Dr Frederik van Zyl Slabbert “Jonathan is the man to set the professional arm of SA rugby in motion,” Hoskins said on Wednesday.”I was impressed when I met him.”He struck me as a person who would work seven days a week; day and night.He is energetic and innovative and gets on well with people.He will expect a lot from his staff and will challenge people to reach goals.”Our provinces and shareholders want to see that the head-office in Cape Town manages rugby at all levels and is not merely a white elephant.”Stones has never held a position in rugby but Hoskins believes this will be to the benefit of SA rugby.”He played rugby at school and enjoys sport.However, he comes in from the outside and therefore carries no baggage.”The appointment of Stones will not diminish the decision-making powers of the presidents’ council but it should make a notable difference to the effective management of SA rugby.Die Burger