Morne du Plessis Quits

Former Springbok captain Morne du Plessis
has quit as South African Rugby board director, South African Rugby Football Union (SARFU).
Du Plessis, a widely-respected official who was manager of the
team that
won the 1995 World Cup, resigned amid attempts to revamp South
Africa’s entire
rugby structure.

A number of top officials have quit the game following a
disastrous
performance in last year’s World Cup.
State broadcaster SABC reported that sweeping changes in had been
approved
at a recent board meeting, but did not give any details.

SARFU said on their website: “Mr du Plessis has indicated in
a letter to
the chairman of the board, Dr Theunie Lategan, that he could not
guarantee
what his level of contribution would be in future following the
suggested
changes at the bosberaad (meeting) and therefore felt it appropriate
for him
to stand down.”

Du Plessis’ departure follows a series of resignations after the
Springboks
were ousted from the World Cup in a humiliating quarter-final match
when they
lost 29-9 against New Zealand.
Skipper Corne Krige, coach Rudolf Straeuli, SA Rugby managing
director Rian
Oberholzer and SARFU president Silas Nkanunu have since quit.

SA Rugby was hit by another scandal in January when financial
auditors
found that one million rand (143,000 dollars) had been stolen from
its
coffers. Two staff members were subsequently been suspended.