SA Rugby magazine

South African rugby news, interviews, videos and more. Covering the Springboks, Bulls, Stormers, Sharks, Cheetahs and Lions, as well as schools and club rugby.

Primary Menu Search
  • Home
  • Springboks
  • Vodacom URC
  • Videos
  • Cars
    • Cheap cars for sale
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Deals
    • One Day Deals
    • Nationwide Deals
      • Deals in Cape Town
      • Deals in Johannesburg
      • Deals in Durban
      • Deals in Pretoria
      • Deals in Port Elizabeth
    • Accommodation Deals
    • Romantic Getaways
    • Food and Drink Deals
    • Experiences
    • Health and Wellness Deals
You are here: Home ∼ Optimistic Wakefield hits back at Krige

Optimistic Wakefield hits back at Krige

Thelo Wakefield Thelo Wakefield
Published on July 24, 2018 | Leave a response

WP Rugby president Thelo Wakefield has revealed that investment company Remgro has not recalled its loans in an open letter to Corné Krige.

The Western Province Rugby Football Union is understood to still have outstanding loans owed to Remgro Sport Investments (totalling in the region of R44-million), with reports suggesting that this had forced the WPRFU to register a mortgage bond on one of its prime properties.

Wakefield recently denied that Newlands Stadium had been put up as ‘security’, while also suggesting that Remgro had not set a new deadline when payment of the loan is expected.

He touched on the subject again in a lengthy letter written in response to former Stormers and Springbok player, Krige, who hit out at WP Rugby administrators in Rapport newspaper.

Although Krige subsequently stated that the comments were not specifically aimed at Wakefield, the WP Rugby president responded with a wide-ranging letter attempting to set the record straight.

Dear Corne

As a past player for WP I was most disappointed in the article published in Rapport on Sunday. The article was not only damaging to WP Rugby but also to me personally.

Given that you were a great player and captain, despite being extremely hurt by the article, I would like to retain my dignity and not take you on publicly in the printed press. I would however like to point out some facts and address some of the issues you raised;

– We have experienced a number of challenges recently at WP Rugby and continue to work tirelessly to develop a plan that we believe will make WP great again.

– That plan involves a number of unencumbered (debt free) high value property assets that WPRFU owns. Part of WP Rugby’s turnaround strategy is the development of those property assets to ensure significant residual income streams for the Union in perpetuity.

– The leadership of WP Rugby includes some incredibly astute business minds including; Dr Johan Van Der Merwe of Mayco; Suzanne Stevens of Brightrock and Hennie Heymans of DHL, all whom contribute significant business expertise to the running of WP Rugby at the highest level. In addition, the current CEO Paul Zacks, has an MBA, an honours and a masters degree, as well as 25 years of commercial experience. 

– We believe that we have contracted an exceptional group of athletes for next season and will ensure all issues and potential stumbling blocks like the current team management issue are dealt with and clarity provided where required, to ensure we have the best possible chance in the competition. We are also in advanced discussion with one or two high profile players that we are confident will join us.

– WP Rugby can confirm that former WP Rugby (Pty) Ltd shareholder Remgro has not recalled their loans and that WP Rugby is in regular contact with Remgro with regard to its outstanding indebtedness to Remgro.

– In addition, WP Rugby can confirm that it is in discussions with a potential equity investor with regards to the sale of a stake of less than 50% in the commercial arm of WP Rugby. 

– WP Rugby also wishes to clarify that the Aerios claim for damages it allegedly suffered, is against the Liquidated Company, not the current Company and is being dealt with by the Liquidators.

As you are aware from your time as a player it remains easy to comment from the touchline. A leader however would arm himself with the facts, not attack individuals and would roll up his sleeves to the support the Union. 

Regards.

Thelo Wakefield

Photo: Ziyaad Douglas/Gallo Images

Posted in News, Stormers, Teams, Top headlines Tagged corne krige, Thelo Wakefield, wp rugby

Post by SA Rugby magazine

This content is not behind a paywall and it is Habari Media's commitment that it remains so and access to the content is free.
Producing quality storytelling comes at a cost and any contribution would only strengthen the respective Habari Media journalist teams. Any amount is appreciated.
Click here to support Sarugbymag
However, for those who can contribute R100 a month, the reward is a premium Daddy's Deals membership, valued at R100, and the choice of two Habari Media legacy titles, valued at R100: SA Rugby Magazine, Compleat Golfer, Car Magazine, Rooi Rose, Bona, Women & Home or Getaway Magazine.
SA Rugby magazine: SUBSCRIBE HERE!
← Previous Next →

No-frills Frans favourite for SA award

Frans Malherbe is the unlikely but most deserving recipient of SA Rugby’s...

Simelane needs to step out of limbo

Wandisile Simelane is in the stage of his career where potential needs...

Rassie masterstroke: Duane to defence coach

Duane Vermeulen will soon be unveiled as the new Springbok defence coach,...

Boks must play ball with franchises

The Boks more than earned a break after defending their World Cup...

Rassie: Rugby’s greatest showman

On the surface, the Springboks had no business winning the 2023 Rugby...

Ode to World Cup final

The ball was in play for 38 minutes in the 2023 Rugby...

Please Boks, never change

The world champion Springboks have to evolve their personnel, but not their...

Mr. Rugby on the Modern Game

Thanks to the wonders of artificial intelligence, we can now go beyond...

Rassie ref hom in die rooi

Rassie Erasmus is hardly the embarrassment that some are making him out...

Boks need to make mentality adjustment

The Springboks need to lose their underdog mentality, writes SIMNIKIWE XABANISA in...

Kolbe’s worth every penny

Cheslin Kolbe’s big-money move to Toulon should be welcomed as a massive...

‘Bok gameplan, when executed correctly, is hard to match’

The opportunity to play against the All Blacks is a career highlight...

Five key areas the Boks need to dominate for first victory

SA Rugby magazine highlights five crucial areas the Boks will need to...

Top six: Best and worst foreign imports

SARugbymag.co.za identifies six of the best and worst foreign players to play...

Dark cloud hangs over WP Rugby

The problems at Western Province Rugby are layered, and everyone involved needs...

From the mag: Foreign Favourites

As Vodacom Super Rugby turned 25 this year, JON CARDINELLI picks an...

Bulls rookies to watch

After a massive exodus of players the Vodacom Bulls will be eager...

Analysis: The new suffocate-and-strangle game

For the Boks to emerge as World Cup winners, they need to...

VIEW MORE
  • Unbeaten Blitzboks book playoffs spot
  • Red Lions slay Dragons
  • LIVE: Stormers vs Zebre Parma
  • Red-hot Bulls roast Sharks
  • Money Man: Bet on the Bulls

*

Subscribe Today

  • Contact us
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Competitions
  • Videos
  • Player Features
  • COVID-19 Corona Virus
    South African Resource Portal
  • African Insider
  • African Insider News
  • Rugby Championship
  • Super Rugby
  • Currie Cup
  • Varsity Cup
  • Gold Cup
  • Schools
  • Six Nations
  • Champions Cup
  • World Cup
  • Challenge Cup

Contact Us on WhatsApp

Connect with us on WhatsApp

CAPE TOWN OFFICE: 36 Old Mill Road, Ndabeni, Maitland, 7405, Western Cape > Telephone: (021) 530 3300 > Fax: (021) 530 3333
©Copyright 2023 SA Rugby magazine

Primary Menu

  • Home
  • Springboks
  • Vodacom URC
  • Videos
  • Cars
    • Cheap cars for sale
    • Used Cars For Sale
    • New Cars For Sale
    • Demo Cars For Sale
  • Deals
    • One Day Deals
    • Nationwide Deals
      • Deals in Cape Town
      • Deals in Johannesburg
      • Deals in Durban
      • Deals in Pretoria
      • Deals in Port Elizabeth
    • Accommodation Deals
    • Romantic Getaways
    • Food and Drink Deals
    • Experiences
    • Health and Wellness Deals

×