Fiery former Springbok flank and television and radio personality Thando Manana is on a five-man shortlist to become the new EP Rugby Union general manager.
After it was revealed on Thursday that former EP Currie Cup head coach Brent Janse van Rensburg was on the list, Manana’s name has also emerged.
A top-ranking EPRU official, who did not want to be named, confirmed that Manana was one of the candidates for the high profile job.
Known for being the third black South African Springbok player, an author, and a rugby commentator, Manana was also a contestant on the first season of the television show Dancing with the Stars SA.
This is not the first time that Manana has been linked to a high profile EP position.
In 2016 he said he was ready to stand for the position of EP president when there was turmoil in the union.
At the time, he made it known that he had a passion for rugby in the Eastern Cape.
“As a rugby person and a proud Eastern Cape boy I would definitely make myself available should I be approached to stand for any administration position, not only the president.
“The Eastern Cape, Border, South Western Districts and Boland are in very unique positions because they are the breeding ground for rugby talent, both black and white.
“As such I will tap into that and ensure that it doesn’t dry up should I become part of the structure.“I would also make sure we tighten up financial controls to prevent a similar situation in the future.”
Manana played Currie Cup rugby for EP when they were known as the Mighty Elephants under Nelie Smith before he moved on to Griquas, where he was recognised by the national selectors and toured the UK and Argentina with the Springboks.
He also earned seven caps for the Junior Springboks.
Manana said a lack of top black sports stars recounting their compelling life stories had inspired him to write his autobiography, Being a Black Springbok.
“I was born in PE and it will always have a place in my heart.
“Also, we have produced top players and continue to produce great players,” he said.
Manana was the third black African player to don a Springbok jersey after unification in 1992, when he made his debut in 2000 in a tour game against Argentina A.
From his beginnings in New Brighton, Manana grew to become one of the grittiest loose forwards of South African rugby, despite starting the game only at the age of 16.
His rise through rugby ranks, while earning a reputation as a tough-tackling lock and later open-side flanker, was astonishingly rapid.
Within two years of picking up a rugby ball, he represented Eastern Province at Craven Week and by 2000 he was a Springbok.
Another candidate who has been named, Janse van Rensburg, parted ways with the Pumas earlier in August after leading the team to victory in the SuperSport Rugby Challenge.
Before coaching the Pumas, he was EP Currie Cup head coach in 2015, taking over from New Zealander Carlos Spencer.
“Once the candidates have been endorsed, the interview process will start. Nobody has been appointed yet,” EP Rugby president André Rademan said.
There will be no coaching involved in the general manager’s position, which is an administrative post.
During his time as Kings head coach, Janse van Rensburg was rated as a shrewd tactician.
Since his departure from the Pumas, Janse van Rensburg has also been linked to a position at Paarl Boys’ High.
The new general manager of EP Rugby will have to perform the following functions:
Oversee the development department in all aspects, including ensuring administratively sound development procedures being adhered to;
Revise existing structures within the development department, and introduce new procedures and policies in collaboration with the union’s executive;
Ensure sound procedures are in place and followed, and ensure discipline; if necessary;
Manage the EPRU development programme;
Liaise with club affairs, regarding all matters relating to clubs, ensuring that necessary policies and procedures are followed;
Assist the executive in the day-to-day tasks of club affairs and development as well as operational and legal matters of the EPRU; and
Support all sub-committees of the executive of EPRU to drive the vision of the union.