SA Rugby is set officially to have its ban on bidding for the right to host mega-events rescinded on Tuesday when a new report from the Eminent Persons Group (EPG) on sports transformation gives them a pass mark. The lifting of the sanction will allow national government to formally back SA Rugby’s bid to host Rugby World Cup 2023. SA Rugby fell foul of two of 13 barometers set by the EPG in 2014-15 when their original assessment was done. It was a situation SA Rugby publicly took on the chin but privately challenged with then sport minister Fikile Mbalula and a member of the EPG, Dr Willie Basson. Regardless‚ Mbalula suspended SA Rugby’s right to host mega-events last April‚ at precisely the time the body was bidding to host RWC 2023. Sources have confirmed to Business Day that SA Rugby has met all targets laid out by the EPG and will have the suspension lifted. Basson himself, when questioned about the EPG’s updated findings, hinted strongly that SA Rugby "would receive good news"...
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