SA Rugby extends Rian Oberholzer's appointment as CEO for two more years

By SABC Sport
9th December 2023

SA Rugby confirmed on Friday that they have extended the contract of their chief executive, Rian Oberholzer, for a further two years.

The experienced administrator, who previously held the role between 1996 and 2003, will continue in the leadership position after his contract extension was approved by the SA Rugby executive council.

He was appointed as SA Rugby's interim chief executive in March after his predecessor, Jurie Roux, left SA Rugby in disgrace at the end of last year when he was ordered to pay back R 37m in misappropriated University of Stellenbosch funds.

Oberholzer will now continue in the position until the end of 2025 and SA Rugby president Mark Alexander is delighted by the news.

"The organisation is on the brink of a fundamental overhaul as we continue our discussions with potential private equity partners and now is the time for continuity," he said via a press statement.

"Rian's vast experience in rugby and business has seen him slot seamlessly back into a role he had previously held and he is the right person to be steering the ship as we chart a new course."

Oberholzer was the 1995 Rugby World Cup˜s tournament director and served as the first chief executive of SANZAR (South Africa New Zealand Australia Rugby). During that time he was instrumental in the establishment of the Super Rugby and Rugby Championship (Tri-Nations) tournaments.

Prior to his appointment as Roux's replacement as chief executive, he was appointed as the administrator of the Western Province Rugby Football Union by SA Rugby.

He also served on the council of what was then the International Rugby Board (now World Rugby) and was a director of Rugby World Cup Limited. He also established and managed sports marketing and eventing companies after leaving his position as SA Rugby's chief executive in 2003.