The South African Rugby Union has kicked into touch the notion that the new Eastern Cape franchise would be exclusively for black African players.

In a statement on Saturday Saru president Oregan Hoskins made it clear that the new Super Rugby franchise would be "non-racial" team, to fall in line with the organisation's principles and the objectives on transformation.

Hoskins's statement follows revelations on Friday that Saru President's Council member Cheeky Watson wants a new "black African" Super Rugby franchise in the Eastern Cape.

Watson's demands — when he attempted to enlist the assistance of the government — came just a week after Saru advised their New Zealand counterparts that the world famous Maori team is 'too racial' to play against the Springboks.

He also claimed that he was not sure of SARU's commitment on the issue of a Super Rugby franchise in the Eastern Cape.

On Saturday the Saru boss, Hoskins, reacted by making it clear his organisation is indeed committed to forming a Super Rugby franchise in the region.

Hoskins said he will meet Nxolo Abraham-Ntantiso, the MEC for Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture for the Eastern Cape, in Port Elizabeth on Monday to underline Saru's commitment to a Eastern Cape franchise.

But the most telling part of Hoskins' statement was that it will be a non-racial team and not the all-black side that Watson has been promoting.

"There is a rich history of black rugby in the region and we would hope that that would be reflected in the developing franchise. But SARU is a non-racial organisation and we expect those principles and the objectives of our Transformation Charter to be honoured by all our provinces and franchises," Hoskins said.

"I want to make it quite clear that Saru fully endorses the concept of a South Eastern Cape team in Vodacom Super Rugby.

"The President's Council and Board have both committed to supporting SARU's efforts to have such a franchise included in the competition at the earliest opportunity.

"I will be in Dubai on Wednesday as part of a South African rugby delegation at Sanzar negotiations and part of our submission includes a motivation for the inclusion of a South Eastern Cape team in an expanded competition.

"Let no one have any misconceptions — the delivery of Super Rugby to the South Eastern Cape is a priority objective for South African rugby and no one in our organisation will rest until it has been achieved."

Is Hoskins on the right track or should it be the Watson way?

365

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