Following a six-year legal battle, former SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux has been ordered to repay over R37 million to Stellenbosch University. Roux was found guilty of manipulating the electronic accounting system to transfer millions of unbudgeted university funds to the Maties rugby club during his tenure in the finance department from 2002 to 2010.
Guilty Verdict Confirmed
Western Cape High Court Judge Vincent Saldanha confirmed the guilty verdict, ruling that Roux will have to pay back the money with interest. The lengthy saga raised questions about Roux’s future as CEO of SA Rugby, with his contract set to end after the 2023 World Cup in France.
Departure from CEO Position
However, Roux confirmed his departure from the position towards the end of last year, and Rian Oberholzer stepped in as his replacement. Oberholzer is a former managing director of the old SA Rugby Football Rugby Union in the late 1990s and assumed oversight of the Western Province Rugby Football Union affairs towards the end of last year.
Uncertain Future
Although Roux has the option to take the matter to The Supreme Court of Appeals or the Constitutional Court, it is uncertain whether he will pursue this route given the legal costs already incurred. The case has now come to an end with Roux facing a hefty repayment to Stellenbosch University.
