Stefan Terblanche says the SA Rugby Legends will work hard to ensure that no overage schoolboys enter its programmes and competitions.
This comes after Glenwood Preparatory revealed that two overage schoolboys had represented the school’s rugby team in 2018 and 2019. The two were also part of the KZN U13 Craven Week team which won the unofficial final last year.
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Terblanche, who serves as CEO of the Rugby Legends Association (Sarla) admitted they had similarly been fooled in the past but promised the organisation would do everything in it’s power to make sure it does not happen again.
‘We can’t deny that in certain instances, players who were overage have come through the system,’ said the former Springbok wing. ‘But because of it, we are now able to make our selection process more watertight than it has ever been before.
‘We can’t point any fingers, but we have been made aware of players coming through our ranks who have been guilty of such misdemeanours.
‘Unfair play in any form is something that myself and Sarla feel very strongly about. It is our responsibility to ensure that every player is on an even playing field and competes on equal footing with his or her peers.
‘We will do everything in our power to stop overage players from entering any of our programmes or competitions.
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‘And we will adopt the exact same no tolerance policy with performance-enhancing drugs. I think the time has come to take a brutal approach to these issues, as they damage the game in very serious ways.
‘Parents can rest assured that, when their children participate in Vuka and Iqhawe Week structures, they are safe and protected by our strict regulations, which are all designed with the players’ best interests at heart.’
Photo: Howard Cleland/Gallo Images
