A round up of what some of South Africa’s leading Sunday papers are saying, including a big update for the future of Western Province Rugby.
The major story in Rapport carries important news for the leadership of WP Rugby. As SA Rugby magazine exclusively reported in mid-December, CEO Paul Zacks was set to be suspended after ‘a number of adverse findings’ in the Section 417 final report pertaining to the liquidation of the union’s professional arm in 2016.
According to the latest report written by Brenden Nel, Zacks has decided to accept a severance package due to concerns over his own health. An interim committee will reportedly run the union, while a successor for Zacks is found.
Staying with Rapport, the newspaper has provided an update on the future of Cheetahs hooker Joseph Dweba. According to the story, there is big interest in Dweba from French Top 14 side Bordeaux.
The 24-year-old is still contracted to the Cheetahs until October this year, but could follow the same path as Stormers prop Steven Kitshoff to realise his dream of a Springbok call-up. The Cheetahs have offered Dweba a contract extension.
There is also some news on the Varsity Cup’s transformation targets, with nine players of colour required in each match 23, with five in the starting lineup. It’s a slight increase from last year, when eight needed to be selected in the squad, and five in the starting lineup.
According to Rapport, that starting number will be increased to eight by 2025.
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