Sarfu Presentation

SPORT AND RECREATION PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
11 October 2000
SARFU PRESENTATION

Documents handed out
South African Rugby & Football Union - Vision 2003 (See Appendix 1)

Chairperson: Ms N R Bhengu

SUMMARY
The South African Rugby Football Union presentation raised important issues, among them, the transformation and development of rugby, a quota system, accessibility of the game and ticket prices, which, according to the Chief Executive Officer of SARFU, range between R80 andR300. This was believed to be the chief reason rugby is inaccessible to the majority of disadvantaged people of this country.

The theme of the presentation was Vision 2003. There was also a commitment from SARFU that the concerns raised by the committee will be considered by the provinces in their forthcoming conference in January 2001.

MINUTES
The President of SARFU, Mr Silas Nkanunu, in presenting SARFU's programme to the Portfolio Committee, said that they wanted to establish partnerships with all stakeholders including the Portfolio Committee.

The Chief Executive Officer, Mr Riaan Obelhorzer, introduced Vision 2003 which, he said, was launched after the 1999 Rugby World Cup. Vision 2003 is concerned with growth, winning, transformation and making money.

Transformation
Mr Obelhorzer said SARFU believes that transformation means having an organization that reflects the demographics of its legitimate stakeholders. Legitimate stakeholders refer to those people who are directly involved in the affairs of rugby.

Team construction
Mr Obelhorzer said they have a quota system in place. The quota system requires the inclusion of players from disadvantaged communities in every provincial team. Players from disadvantaged communities refer to those players who have been denied the opportunity to play rugby in the past because of apartheid laws. They believe this quota system will create opportunities for previously disadvantaged players. He said when black players perform up to the required standard, there will be no further need for the quota system.

If there is development and commitment at the junior level there will be no need of quotas. This means that the players will have been groomed already at junior level, so they will go straight to senior level. Opportunities will be created for players to go and play in other provinces such as players from the southern provinces (Eastern Cape, Western Cape) can go and play in the northern Provinces (Gauteng, Northern Province, Mpumalanga)

Growth of the game
Mr Obeholrzer said they want to make rugby a national sport. Club rugby is facing some problems. Clubs need to look at themselves critically. The problem he identified was that if clubs do not care about the community, the community will not care for them.

They want to develop rugby at school level. There were development programs in the former Model C schools. But he said now they want to assist and facilitate growth of rugby in black schools.

World Class Excellence
Mr Obelhorzer said they must have a vision to develop rugby in South Africa because, he said, South African rugby is regarded as the third greatest in the world. He said rugby players should not be exploited, they must have lives after their playing careers. That is why they want to create rugby academies to accommodate former players.

Financial sustainability
Super-12 and the Tri-Nations are the biggest income-generating tournaments in South African rugby at this stage. They have to explore the commercial potential that they have in rugby as to continue winning they must have money.

Campaigns
Mr Sacks Bailey (SAFRU) introduced the campaign associated with Vision 2003. The most important of all the campaigns is the Yesterday's Heroes campaign.

The Yesterdays Heroes is geared to bring all former rugby players together. These former heroes will appear behind SARFU and the Springbok emblem. Their joining of hands will mean that they are making rugby their game, hence the slogan "MAKE IT YOUR GAME" will appear in all SARFU and Springbok publications.

Mr Songezo Nayo (SARFU Transformation Officer) added that the Yesterdays Heroes campaign is important because it will bring veteran players together. He believes they can make rugby a national sport, although he admitted that it is not yet a national sport. Mr Nayo said as of now South African rugby encourages every player to sing the National Anthem with passion in all the languages it is written, to promote patriotism.

Accessibility
Schools - Mr Nayo said that SARFU realizes that to take rugby forward they have to create a vibrant youth program. This now includes the Under 12 Nike All Star Camp, the Under 13 Craven Week, the Under 15 Nike All Star Camp, the Under 16 Academy Week and the Under 18 Craven Week. He was quick to point that the large percentage of these programs will benefit black children. He said there are other programs in the pipeline that intend to introduce rugby to families.

Provinces - Mr Nayo said they want to change the perception that rugby is focussed on the national professional level. Grants have been made available to boost rugby on the ground. A grant in excess of R1million in cash will assist clubs in the provinces to develop. This will help in the administration especially of black clubs. Also there is a benefit to the tune of R150 000 from the Department of Sport and Recreation. SARFU is thankful for this support.

Stadiums access and tickets - Mr Nayo pointed out that provincial unions own the stadiums; therefore, the provinces themselves sell the tickets. This means that ticket charges are the domain of the provincial unions. He said they would have liked to have brought all test matches to the provinces, even to small stadiums. Mr Nayo added that SARFU is a non-profit organization; the money generated from admission tickets is used for the development of rugby on the ground and is distributed among the provinces.

Television and other media
Mr Nayo said that television is the lifeblood of SARFU income as large sums of money come from broadcasting rights. MNet is the major broadcaster of rugby. But he pointed out that matches are broadcast in such a way that all people can watch the games. For instance, matches on MNet are broadcast during open time to allow for those who cannot afford a decoder. He said the Bankfin Cup was given to the public broadcaster. Lastly Mr Nayo requested the Portfolio Committee have cordial relations with SARFU so that the press will not say they've been summoned or subpoenaed when they have to come to meetings of this nature.

Mr Obelhorzer said South Africa is different from other countries, for instance SARFU does not own a stadium. What is important to them in international matches is that they want a guarantee that if a country comes to South Africa, costs will be met.

Questions and comments
Mr Momberg (ANC) congratulated SARFU for the Yesterday's Heroes campaign. He hoped that the rugby veterans will appreciate this as well. On the issue of quotas, he asked, "Isn't it dangerous for provinces to buy players from other provinces?"

Mr Lucas (IFP) asked a question on affirmative action in coaching and referreeing, and if any practical steps would be taken to implement this before 2003?

Mr Fihla (ANC) on the quota system: "Generally people on the ground believe that players who are put in the quota system are developing players. If a player qualifies on merit, that player should be there on merit, not on quota. You must then add another player onto the quota."

Ms Southgate (IFP) believed it was "a slap in the face to find no black coach in South African rugby". She asked if the quota players are on contract, how many of these positions are developed in rugby. What determines the guarantees, because people from disadvantaged communities are left out in the process.

Response
Mr Obelhorzer agreed that provinces will contract players, but each province must also develop its own talent. SARFU will monitor this. He said that the perception that there were only white coaches was wrong, there are coaches of color in South African rugby, especially in the local clubs. Also, there is more than one black referee doing duty in the provinces.

Mr Bailey added that there are referees from the different panels in rugby. They could not talk about a Vision 2003 if they do not take such aspects into account.

Mr Obelhorzer, responding on the question of quotas, said that they would not like to talk about quota players or development players. They would rather talk of black players, because seemingly this creates some confusion. Even players ask whether they are in the team because of quota or development. He stressed that in the Springboks, there is no quota system as only players who are good enough to play in the national team do so. He agreed with Ms Southgate that quota players are on contract for one year. The reason for this is that they do not want to retain under-performing players. On guarantees, he said that only the very rich provinces host test matches. A province must be willing to offer R5million for a match.

Mr Nkanunu added that the tag of quota has been used to undermine players of color. He said that the quota system, if used inconsiderably, could be dangerous in terms of demographics and "Whites can be an endangered species in South African rugby". He said we must be careful when we use the quota system.

Questions and comments
Mr Louw (ANC) asked, "Has Sarfu made any study of the people who watch rugby? Are you aware that people who watch rugby games are predominantly white? What have you done to rectify that?"

Mr Chauke (ANC), "Four years ago, you presented us with a blueprint for a dream, today you come with Vision 2003, you always present us with visions." He said he thinks the only problem here is that whites don't want to be chased out of rugby. There's always that fear that rugby will be taken away from whites. Mr Chauke said the SARFU President must unpack the issue of quota. Why is there resistance in the provinces?

Mr Frolick (UDM) on ticket prices - For how long will SARFU charge people such exorbitant prices while claiming that rugby is a sport for all the citizens of this country?
Further during their study tour to the provinces, the committee discovered there are provinces that still practice racism.

Mr Pieterse (ANC) asked if rugby is played in other countries in Africa? He was much concerned about clubs. There are a lot of club champions in Cape Town, specifically the Tygerberg area. Although these youngsters are local champs, he has not seen any of them playing for the senior sides. He asked who would monitor the places where development is said to be taking place?

Response
Mr Obelhorzer said on the question of spectators - The main worry here is not only about spectators, but also about the lack of black support for the provinces. He said they have asked the provinces to assist spectators from disadvantaged communities with transport and access to the stadiums. He said it is not only ticket prices, but also lack of support for the provinces. He said provinces generate their own money. They do not get money from SARFU.

On the question of rugby in Africa -SARFU is reviving rugby in Africa. However it would be wrong for SARFU to commit money for developing rugby in Africa while we still need to develop ourselves here.

On the issue of Tygerberg players - Mr Obelhorzer said although he is not quite sure of the number, there are players from those clubs who play for the senior teams.

On the monitoring of development programs - he said the Portfolio Committee can contact SARFU and they will be introduced to local development officers. He said SARFU would be happy to receive people from government to see for themselves what is taking place on the ground.

On racism in the provinces - SARFU President Mr Silas Nkanunu said that people should know that "Old habits die hard". He said in May they had a conference on racism. There they came with a declaration, and they have documents to that effect. They can make them available.

The Chairperson, Ms Bhengu (ANC), noted that SARFU had not answered all the questions. For instance a question was asked on SARFU's blueprint for a dream; what is the link between blueprint for a dream and Vision 2003. What has been learnt, what has been achieved?

Mr Obelhorzer replied that the blueprint for a dream is a continuous process and it is accommodated of course in the Vision 2003. On the question of white fears in rugby, they do not know of any such fears in SARFU. He doesn't know where this concern comes from.

Ms Bhengu intervened by saying that question came as a response to what was said by the SARFU President when he said whites could be an endangered species in South African rugby.

SARFU President Mr Nkanunu explained that the quota system could affect the demographics in South African rugby. By saying this, "I meant the quota system should be a means of maintaining representivity".

Mr Nkanunu added that in some provinces blacks have not been involved in rugby for historical reasons. But now at school level, if the tempo is maintained, blacks can have their own teams: "We are getting there."

Questions and comments
Mr Morkel (NNP) - Is SARFU happy with the stability of coaching in rugby? Has SARFU taken any position on AIDS? How will the new taxation laws affect players?

Mr Xingwana (ANC) thanked SARFU for their presentation, noting that the former SARFU President Dr Louis Luyt did not think making a SARFU presentation to Parliament was important. The fact that SARFU President is here today is a step in the right direction. She thought the question of the intransigence of the Provinces should be dealt with more clearly. Provinces should be called to the committee to present their programs as well. She asked what is SARFU doing to nurture black players. Why do black players such as Khaya Malotana, just disappear? Again, what is SARFU doing about the issue of ticket prices?

Mr Moonsamy (ANC) said he wanted to draw a line between black and white rugby schools. To what extent has transformation been taken to black rugby schools?

Mr Lucas (IFP) said SARFU is a business; it is difficult to link business with transformation and hence the high ticket prices. Most blacks cannot afford to watch rugby matches in the stadiums. If the ticket prices can be dropped, there will be more black people in the stadiums. He said extra effort should be given to the development of rugby in schools especially in places like KwaZulu-Natal.

Mr Mlangeni (ANC) said SARFU is a union affiliated with provinces, but it seems that they do not have control over the provinces. Recently the Blue Bulls was fined only R40 000 for failing to comply with SARFU's policies on transformation. "How can they be fined such a small amount. This is peanuts to them, they have a lot of money". Mr Mlangeni said SARFU should compel the provinces to embark on transformation as soon as possible. Why is there resistance in some provinces to Vision 2003?

Response
Mr Obelhorzer (SARFU) answered:
- They have an HIV/AIDS policy.
- On the new tax laws, they are arranging to meet with the South African Revenue Services to work this out.
- On the stability of coaching, nowhere in sport, can you maintain the stability of coaches. Coaches come and go.
- On meetings with provinces, SARFU will have a conference with all the provinces to iron out various issues on 12-14 January 2001.
- On having no control over provinces, he said it is unfair to say they have no control over provinces. If they had more control of provinces, they would be called autocratic. If they give provinces autonomy, they are regarded as lenient. They are in a really difficult position.
- The Blue Bulls were fined R75 000. The R35 000 remainder was dropped due to one of SARFU rules concerning penalties on clubs.
- Malotana has been injured for a long time, which is why he is not playing. People should know that players sometimes do lose form, so it must not be a question of always asking where is this or that player.
- On black rugby schools, SARFU President Mr Silas Nkanunu asked the government to make available facilities in black townships so that kids can play. He if you go around the townships like Khayelitsha, Mitchell's Plain, Gugulethu kids play rugby or football on open ground. This shows that there is a great need for these facilities. If the facilities can be provided in these townships, the games can be accessible to these kids.

Mr Nkanunu agreed that there are rich provinces. He said places like Newlands and other areas are viable areas. He said SARFU would conduct a viability exercise in all the provinces.

The Chairperson Ms Bhengu said the presentation by SARFU was very good. It is incorrect to think that blacks should support a provincial team in the same way they support the national team. On accessibility, she said SARFU should not forget our past. People should not be deprived of the opportunity to watch games because of their socio-economic status. The message is that this committee believes that SARFU can influence changes in ticket prices and guarantees. SARFU at a national level should exercise its power and put pressure on provincial unions to co-operate in this regard. Keeping ticket prices high means that only those who are economically viable can watch rugby. "That is racism and class division," said Ms Bhengu. The Portfolio Committee is saying players should not only be from the Model C schools. They must also come from the townships and rural areas

Mr Nkanunu promised to continue SARFU's interaction with the Committee. His suggestion that a Portfolio Committee sub-committee and the SARFU executive keep in contact was endorsed by the Portfolio Committee.

Appendix 1:
SA Rugby Football Union
Vision 2003

Mission Statement
Sarfu is the national sports organisation serving the needs of rugby stakeholders in South Africa. It does this by providing a leadership role for the provincial organisations and a total management service for all national teams.
Sarfu facilitates the development of rugby in South Africa by providing an organisational and financial platform for the growth of the game in line with the ethos of a non-racial democracy.
Sarfu's strategy is subject to the approval of the national executive committee, which is representative of all stakeholders.

Vision statement
Sarfu's vision is to be a national sport that represents the aspirations of the nation through consistent top class performance and thereby bringing the nation together. Sarfu shall achieve this by:

1. Developing a value system that is representative of the nation.
2. Being the most professional rugby organisation in the world, and the most professional sports organisation in Africa;
3.Developing World Class Game Skills
4. Developing World Class Management and Customer Service Skills
5. Developing World Class Strategic Alliances

Objectives Of Vision 2003
Vision 2003 is a statement of intent and commitment by Sarfu to its
stakeholders. The Vision is informed by the following objectives:
These are the current imperatives facing South African rugby. They are informed by the needs of our stakeholders.
Our responsibility is to manage the fine balance that exists between these objectives.

1. Transformation
Transformation is understood to be having an organisation that reflects the demographics of its legitimate stakeholders.
1.1. National Office
Sarfu shall work to achieve the following targets for its National Office:
Ensure that 60% of the staff complement is Black
Ensure that 40% of management of Sarfu is Black
Develop a transformation strategy, which includes the appointment of a transformation manager; and;
Put in place an affirmative procurement policy, which shall ensure that Sarfu contracts services and/or goods providers who fulfil black empowerment criteria.

Put in place an affirmative procurement policy, which shall ensure that Sarfu contracts services and/or goods providers who fulfil black empowerment criteria.

1.2 Teams
In this respect, Sarfu has a quota system in place for all teams except the Springboks. The quota system shall be maintained, whilst being progressively introduced in the Currie Cup and the Rugby Super 12 Regions.
Sarfu shall continuously review targets to be achieved by 2003, through a consultative process involving all stakeholders.
In addition to this, Sarfu shall use its resources in pursuit of the transformation objective and shall take necessary steps to encourage its provincial unions to do likewise.

1.3.Strategies
1. Monitor the implementation of the regulations and policies in relation to the quota system;
2. Develop programmes to assist provinces to attract black spectators to their games and promote the the game to new markets;
3. Review Sarfu funding policy to give effect to, and advance the transformation objective; and
4. Review the regulations framework to allow black players not used in their home provinces to have unhindered entry to other provinces, where they may be used;

2. Growth of the Game
In order for the game of rugby to attain the status of a national sport, it must appeal to, and be played and/or watched by a significant majority of the South African population. To ensure this, Sarfu shall take measures that will result in the increase in the number of players, spectators and administrators. Inter alia, Sarfu shall do the following: Develop and implement programmes that will ensure the establishment of sustainable clubs;
Develop and implement education and training programmes that will help hone and develop the skills of coaches, referees and administrators;
Develop a communications strategy that targets new markets and presents an image of the game as accessible, friendly and fun to be part of;
Develop and implement an innovative junior and youth policy, centered on the creation of a culture and tradition of "black rugby schools" throughout the country; and;
Develop Sarfu's capacity in all forms of the Game (eg. Sevens, Women's Rugby etc.)

3. World Class Excellence
In order for the game of rugby to sustain its status as a national sport,the Springbok team must retain a good measure of world class excellence. World class excellence is understood to mean a Springbok team that is rated in the top three in the world, with players that display professional behaviour. Amongst others, Sarfu shall do the following:
Promote the continuous development of elite coaches through interaction with their counterparts at international level;
Provide an excellent support service to elite players, which includes a professional education and development for all contracted players; and
Establish rugby academies in as many provinces as possible, with the major objective being the delivery of more skilled players, referees and coaches to achieve the vision, with a special emphasis on black players, coaches and referees.

Financial Stability
In order for Sarfu to guarantee its programmes, it needs sustainable financial resources. Financial sustainability is defined as having an income that exceeds the costs associated with the vision. In ensuring a sustainable financial environment, Sarfu shall take, amongst others, the following measures:
Promote a joint SANZAR initiative for renewing and improving the Newscorp income;
Successfully brand all major tournaments;
Acquire sponsors for the rugby academies;
Create a successful merchandising business;
Rationalise excessive loss areas; and;
Explore fully, its commercial potential.
Sarfu's vision is to be a national sport that represents the aspirations of the nation through consistent top class performance and thereby bringing the nation together.

YESTERDAY'S HEROES
In support of Vision 2003, we have developed various programmes, through which we seek to ensure its success. The first of such programme, which we would like to share with you today is The "Yesterday Heroes" campaign.

Aims & Objectives
"Yesterdays Heroes" is built on a foundation of reconciliation

The campaign aims to unite the heroes of the past behind SARFU and the Springbok emblem in the new Millennium

In joining hands these past heroes will issue a challenge to others to Make Rugby their Game

Implementation
Past players have shaped the Game over the past 100 years and it is important that they are familiar to the new generation of supporters

Each player can positively influence a particular community and play a part in broadening the support base - a key factor to rugby becoming a National sport

Honouring past players closes the chapter on the past and opens the gateway to the new Millennium and a united future for Rugby

Campaign Elements
The high-point of the campaign will the the "Yesterdays Heroes" banquet in Johannesburg on October 30, at which the Rugby Player of the Year will also be announced

As many past National players as possible will attend, publicly displaying their Springbok colours and affirming their support and commitment to the Game in South Africa

The banquet is supported by Sponsors Nike, South African Breweries, ABSA and Bankfin. It will be attended by the current Springbok squad

The banquet will precede the formation of a "Past Players Club" and the creation of an "SA Rugby Hall of Fame"

The Heritage of the Game will be further preserved in years to come through the publication of a book documenting the definitive history of South African Rugby

"Yesterday's Heroes" is the first phase of a three-year marketing communications strategy that aims to position Rugby as a National Sport, representative of all its stakeholders

Make It Your Game
The broader campaign, known as "Make It Your Game" runs in tandem with the operational strategy "Vision 2003" that seeks to make National Sport status tangible within three years

"Yesterdays Heroes" includes more than 160 outdoor billboards, placed strategically countrywide, and including players who are relevant to a particular area

This is supported by two inserts in major newspapers and a collectors edition of SARFU's official Champs! magazine

Accessibility To The Game Of Rugby
Madame Chairperson and Honourable members of the committee, we have so far given a broad overview of the envision future direction of SARFU. We should now like to spend some time on the issues of accessibility. In dealing with accessibility, we propose to deal with the following topics:
1. Schools
2. Clubs
3. Provinces
4. Stadiums/Tickets
5. Television and other Media

1. Schools
Sarfu realises that for the Game of Rugby to take root amongst the people of South Africa, we need a vibrant and attractive youth programme. The schools play a vital role for us in this regard. For this reason, we have one the most comprehensive schools programme available, starting from the under thirteens (primary school) right up to the under eighteens (high school level). The following are the programmes currently available for school children:
Under 12 Nike All Star Camp
Under 13 Craven Week
Under 15 Nike All Star Camp
Under 16 Academy Week
Under 18 Academy Week
Under 18 Craven Week
Through these programmes more than 2 500 school children benefit and more than 35% of these are black children. As these are national programmes, more children benefit in the run benefit at provincial levels.

2. Provinces & Clubs
The bedrock of our sport is clubs, which are organised into provincial unions. It is thus important for us to build sustainable clubs, and this objective is key to the growth of our sport. In order to ensure this, Sarfu and provincial unions have put in place various competitions for the benefit of clubs. These competitions are as follows:
At provincial levels, each province has in place club leagues ranging from lower levels to what are called premier leagues.
At national level, Sarfu has a club championship, in which all provincial club champions participate.
Further, Sarfu has in place a Sub-Union Tournament, which benefits mainly those provinces with vast boundaries.
Sarfu has also established a club aid programme, through which we distribute in excess of R1 million in cash and directly to clubs, especially black clubs in order to assist them in their administration. This programme has also benefit to the tune of R 150 000. 00 from the Department of Sport and Recreation. We are gratetful for this assistance.

3. Stadium Access & Tickets
For many years, our sport has been sustained by the paying public and we believe this will be the case for many years to come. We are therefore mindful of the need for us to be sensitive to the needs of the general public.
With the advent of the professional era, more financial demands were placed on our sport, and more income has to be generated. At all times, we seek to balance the financial demands on the sport with the need for affordable stadium tickets to our games. Average ticket prices to rugby games for the various competitions are as follows:
Club Games Free to R 10.00
Club Championships Free of Charge
Vodacom Cup Competition R20.00 (average)
Bankfin Currie Cup R50.00
Vodacom Rugby Super 12 Competition R75.00 (average)
Vodacom International & Trinations series R250.00 - R350.00

Tests In SA: Guarentees Paid By Provinces
1997:
COUNTRY: VENUE: GUARENTEE TKT STADM
R MILLION: PRICE CAPCTY
Tonga Newlands R0,6 R80
Lions Newlands R1,5 R150
Lions Kings Park R1,5 R150
Lions Ellis Park R2,5 R150
New Zealand (Tri-Nations) Ellis Park R3,0 R150
Australia (Tri-Nations) Loftus Versfeld R1,5 R150
 
1998:
Ireland Bloemfontein R1,5 R100
Ireland Loftus R1,5 R150 51 000
Wales Loftus R1,5 R150 51 000
England Newlands R2,320 R150 50 000
New Zealand (Tri-Nations) Kings Park R2,5 R200 52 000
Australia (Tri-Nations) Ellis Park R3,0 R150 60 000
 
1999:
Italy Port Elizabeth R0,760 R100 32 000
Italy Kings Park R1,250 R100 52 000
New Zealand (Tri-Nations) Loftus R4,5 R250 38 000
Australia (Tri-Nations) Newlands R4,0 R250 50 000
 
2000:
Canada East London R0,150 R150 15 000
England Loftus R3,2 R250 38 000
England Bloemfontein R3,2 R250
New Zealand (Tri-Nations) Ellis Park R4,8 R250 60 000
Australia (Tri-Nations) ABSA Park (Durban) R4,8 R300 52 000
 
NOTES:
In respect of the SA/Canada and SA/England matches in 2000 at East London and Bloemfontein respectively, there was a second category of ticket prices as well:
 
Vs Canada: East London : R150 and R100

4. Television And Other Media
Television income constitutes the majority of our income at the moment. It is an area we hope will grow in future. For this reason, it is crucial for us to strike a relationship with broadcasters, who are prepared to pay for the only product that is our business ie. our games. At the moment, in South Africa, Mnet has the Broadcast rights for Rugby.
We are mindful of the need for a broader South African public to view our games and for this reason, have interacted with Mnet to do all that is possible to ensure that the South African public has access to our games. The following are some of the measures that have been taken:
All test matches played in South Africa are played during open time.
In this year, some of the Vodacom Cup competition games were screen on the public broadcaster.
Mnet offered to the public broadcaster the Bankfin Cup Games at no consideration to them.
These are the measures we will continue to take in our quest to balance the need for us to generate maximum income from television rights, with the need for the broadest possible spread of the public to view our games

Challenges
The major challenges facing SARFU are two fold. Firstly we have to maintain a balance between the imperatives that face the game, which are to:
Transform from a sport that is percieved by a fair number of South Africans to be essentially a sport white for white people, to a national sport, representing the aspirations of all South Africans;
Maintain high levels of excellence so that we remain amongst the top three rugby nations of the world; and
Become financially sustainable so that we are able to fund our projects.

Secondly, for rugby to be a national sport, the game must be accessible. This will happen only if the nation embraces our vision for the future of the game. In our pursuit of the goals set out in Vision 2003, we shall enter into partnerships with the following:
Provincial Unions
National and Provincial Government
National and Provincial Portfolio Committees
Sports Commission
Communities, other Sports bodies and the Media
IRB and SANZAR
Sponsors and Corporate sector, notably Black business