For the first time in the professional era‚ members of SA Rugby’s General Council made potentially far-reaching decisions that put rugby‚ rather than petty provincial politics‚ first on Friday. Several smaller unions on the council‚ which is made up of representatives of the 14 provincial unions‚ effectively ceded power [money] of the game to larger unions and a leaner decision-making structure. The most significant outcomes of tough negotiations at a Newlands hotel were agreement on the implementation of new committees for franchise [Super Rugby] and non-franchise rugby and an increase in private equity stakes in unions from 24.9% to 74%. In future all key decisions such as the appointment of the Springbok coach‚ the awarding of Super Rugby franchises‚ the appointment of the chief executive and other key ‘professional’ resolutions will be taken by the smaller‚ streamlined Executive Council. The Exco will now have six elected members and five independents and will only report to the...

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