Saru steps in to rescue Border from collapse

THE South African Rugby Union (Saru) announced yesterday it had assumed control of the financial and administrative affairs of the Border Rugby Football Union, following a resolution by the union's executive.

The union handed over control to Saru to allow Border's operations to be normalised.

The decision was taken in November at Saru's request. Only Saru personnel will have signing powers on Border's accounts.

Monde Tabata, an East London-based member of the Saru executive council (exco), has been confirmed as the union's administrator.

"The Border executive agreed to Saru taking control at our request," Jurie Roux, chief executive of Saru, said.

"It is not Saru's role to run member federations and it is something the exco would only consider as a last resort.

"That point had been reached with Border and we pointed that out to their executive, who agreed to hand over the management of the union to Saru."