SIX years ago, Oregan Hoskins took over the reins as South African Rugby Union (Saru) president, tasked with the huge responsibility of converting the organisation plagued by infighting and back-stabbing into a respectable and ethical body — and there is no doubt he has achieved that.
Business Day
But while Hoskins admits that he has made mistakes during his three terms — the last of which ends in early 2014 — he attributed his ability to restore the organisation’s shattered reputation to his morals and values and his promise to exercise “honesty, integrity and transparency”.
His legal background as an attorney, lawyer and conveyancer, he says, was also invaluable in making the correct decisions in the demanding position.
So effective has Hoskins been in his role, his efforts were also noticed by the International Rugby Board (IRB), which elected him vice-chairman of rugby’s governing body last week. While Hoskins makes no secret of the fact that there has been a healthy mix of good times and challenges in the past six years, he is satisfied with the way he has steered the organisation. “I wouldn’t change the way I have done things, notwithstanding that there have been hurdles,” said Hoskins. “But there have also been a lot of positives. I have learned a lot and gained good experience from the interaction with Saru’s various stakeholders. That said, in hindsight there are perhaps a few things that I could have done differently in my first and second year in the position because experience has taught me to be more calm and level-headed in troubling situations.”
Commenting on the factors that have guided him in the high-pressure position, Hoskins said: “I don’t think I would have coped if I didn’t have a legal background. I believe it has given me an edge because law teaches one to look twice at the print in front of you and to look for little things that someone else would perhaps not notice. But the core values my parents drummed into me have also been instrumental in the way I have done things. When I took over the position I emphasised the importance of honesty, integrity and transparency …. I believe if one practises those values you will be successful.”
The two main challenges facing Hoskins before the end of his term, however, are the thorny issues of transformation and the inclusion of the Southern and Eastern Cape in Super Rugby. “Like other black people, I also experienced the worst forms of apartheid when I grew up,” said Hoskins. “I went to a school in Pietermaritzburg which was rated in the bottom 10 schools in the country and where few people passed. So I know where I come from. I would really like to see transformation in rugby, but I cannot be irresponsible.
“If I had seen a black or coloured rugby player who was better than Victor Matfield or John Smit, they would have been in the national team. But we cannot reverse in two decades the fact that white people had better diets, skills training, grew up in a deep culture of rugby and went to the best rugby schools … so we have to be honest and realistic about the fact that if we don’t transform the character of the top rugby schools in the country, we won’t have transformation at an elite level.”
Of the Southern Kings’ inclusion in Super Rugby, he said: “Accommodating the Kings is a challenge, but it is important that we find a solution to accommodate everyone in Super Rugby .”
Another challenge facing Hoskins and Saru’s top brass is to appoint a Springbok coach in the next month who could guide the team to success at the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England. But with the union opting to head-hunt the best candidates, it is hoped the process will be a success.
Phweeeeewwwwwwwwww!
Somebody at Business Day is crept up Hoskins’ arse so deep he could look through Hoskins’ ribs like a jailbird through his jail bars.
One would swear Hoskins was / is SA Rugby’s saviour, when in fact he is one of the toothless mob who are currently hogging positions in SA Rugby which should natually go to much, much, much stronger and improved business men and negotiators!
Kickers, who initially penned this lot of kak?
O flok, it is our good friend, Zeena Isaacs, who initially wrote this utter bile!
Zeena I would say, is about 28, female, and a happy little camper who is friendly to everybody and who do not often write too much kakkas about rugby, so therefore I smell a huge rat here…
What I want to know is what dirt has Hoskins got on poor Zeena, to make her fondle him so desperately… and to devote so much time in writing these cruel paragraphs of twaddle?
Maybe rugby news is scarse and maybe she’s got a tough boss who demanded a rugby piece, when there was none on offer at the time…
Hell Zeena, you could have done better to waffle on about which rugby player has the ugliest toes or the most nostril hair!
Goeie wille flok…. she’ll get an ear full next time I see her at a Press Box at one of the stadiums….
Shooooooeeeeee, GBS, that was a bit of an outburst, and so close to Christmas!!!! But agree, what a load of waffle – had to read it twice, just to check that it wasn’t an April fools joke. By the way, thats Hoskins face!!! Hahaha, I superimposed it, as to Geena, he is obviously god!
Sorry, Geena = Zeena!
4 @ Just For Kicks:
You’re GOOOOOD with the “Design” stuff!
I hereby appoint you head Picture Manipulator & Designer at Rugby-Talk!
Must be the Apple shit rubbing off on you…. hehehehe
Your first project will be to fly up here to Gautengeleng and help me re-design the look and feel of Rugby-Talk, next week…
I’ll supply all the beer, biltong, Jeagie Bombs and the hot 22-year old wenches serving us… and condensed milk (just for good measure, seeing as I’m addicted to the stuff).
Bwahahaha
I know it was a bit of an outburst by me, but damn we all always complain about the incompetance at SARU, or the SARU Circus… and here comes Happy, Dopey and Sneezy Zeena, polishing Oregan’s bell-end like she’s never going to have it again and making him into Superman & Santa rolled into one!
Flok… she must be having a jol for Christmas… hehehe
I’m there, if for no other reason than that you pluralised “wench”! Would it at all be possible for them all to be dressed in Santa outfits please?
7 @ Just For Kicks:
Hehehehe
Wehey, lurve the christmas lights, and flashing noggal. The lights on my Christmas tree are not working, kids hate me, can you fix them please, so the kids will love me again. Thanks
De Wet Barry’s two-year-old son DJ has tragically died after lung complications.
Former Springbok skipper John Smit tweeted his condolences, writing: Im heart broken for Dewet Barry & his wife who lost their 2 year old son this morning to a lung infection.God bless them in this time.
Springbok assistant coach Gary Gold also expressed his shock on Twitter, writing: Absolutely heartbroken for DeWet and Marcelle Barry on the loss of their little man DJ. May he rest in peace, so sad for such great people.
Springbok record try-scorer Bryan Habana also voiced his shock, tweeting: My thoughts and prayers are with De Wet Barry and his family during this sad tragic time!
Sport24’s thoughts and prayers go out to De Wet and his wife Marcelle, as well as their respective families, at this time of need.
On behalf of Rugby-Talk
Our thoughts and prayers go out to De Wet and his wife Marcelle. I am shocked, and i feel sad and sick thinking of your loss.
Having 2 grand children in that age group i just cant imagine how it would hurt to lose a child of that age. I have no words. DWB be strong.
Flying greetings to all.
Been HELLISHLY busy, with no abatement in sight.
Got to go and fetch the better half on Friday. She and the ankle biters have been away for a month. Sh1t it’s no joke having to wipe your own arse and do the washing, cooking, ironing and work as well.
As for this article. What a load of spin doctor sh1te.
Having had first hand dealings with the Mr Hoskins when there was a threat of a racially based breakaway of clubs in JHB some years ago, I can honestly state that he says what he wants all parties to hear at any given time, says things he has NO intention of acting on, and generally does not come over with any degree of sincerity whatsoever. (At least that’s how I felt.)
He’ll fit in just fine at the IRB. Just wish he’d resign from SARU as well.
10@ superBul:
I can think of nothing that would rip me apart more.
It’s certainly a time when this young family need comfort and support from all quarters.
Hang in there de Wet. Time will help, even though right now I’m sure that it seems that nothing will make the hurt reduce.
I’m sure all Rugby lovers wish you and your wife the very best in this difficult time.
Shoudn’t this headline read:
Hoskins turns SARU into a limp penis that allows itself to be bullied on Super Rugby matters, and doesn’t have the backbone to make a decision that is not seen as politically correct.
Ah well, at least he has the support of the yard of wet lettuce Frenchman.
Two peas in the same pod.
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