Former South African Rugby Union president Oregan Hoskins (Photo by Luke Walker/Gallo Images)
Mr Oregan Hoskins announced on Wednesday that he was stepping down as president of the South African Rugby Union (SARU) after a decade of service and achievement.
Mr Hoskins advised the membership of SA Rugby at a meeting of the General Council in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
“I have enjoyed a remarkable ten and a half years in one of the most high-profile roles in South African sport and have enjoyed some incredible highs,” said Mr Hoskins. “It has been a pleasure and a privilege and I want to thank everyone involved in South African rugby for the fantastic journey we have shared.
“There have also been plenty of challenges to confront but I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way – it’s an indication of how much our sport matters in this country.
“At the time of my election I never imagined that I would still be here ten years later and I look back with considerable satisfaction over what has been achieved in that time. However, over recent months we have faced tough challenges and had some tough conversations which has made me think about my role and my future.
“Being president of SA Rugby has become a full-time job and with my term due to end in 18 months’ time I decided that, after a decade in the job, it was now time to start the next phase of my career, although I have no firm plans as yet, and allow someone else to take on this important role.”
Mr Hoskins was elected for a 2-year term in February 2006, when he opposed incumbent, Brian van Rooyen. He was elected to the executive of the International Rugby Board (IRB) – now World Rugby – in the same year and rose to be vice-chairman of the organisation before opting not to stand for re-election in May this year.
He was re-elected as SA Rugby president one a further 3 occasions in 2008 (2 years) and for 4-year terms in 2010 and 2014.
A number of notable landmarks were achieved during his presidency with the winning of the Rugby World Cup in 2007, a series victory over the British & Irish Lions, the Tri-Nations title and Sevens titles – including Commonwealth gold and an Olympic bronze medal at the Olympics. A number of world age group titles were also won.
He also oversaw the expansion of elite playing opportunities for SA players with the addition of two South African teams to the Vodacom Super Rugby competition and he also introduced stability to the national coaching position.
Only 3 Springbok coaches were appointed during his presidency while there were 6 appointments in the previous decade.
The General Council paid tribute to Mr Hoskins’ contribution to rugby, both domestically and internationally as an office bearer at World Rugby.
He was commended for bringing stability and returning credibility to SA Rugby at a turbulent time in 2006 and for ceaselessly striving for consensus in the game.
Other notable achievements include the amalgamation of the 2 previous arms of the sport – amateur and professional – into 1 more efficient entity and the ground-breaking Strategic Transformation Plan.
“In the current global economic climate every business has its challenges and rugby certainly faces those, but I think we can look back with satisfaction on what has been achieved over the past decade,” he said.
“All a player ever wants to do is leave “the jersey” in a better condition than in which they found it, and I hope that my peers will say that of me. I want to say thank you for the opportunity to serve as president of South African rugby and to carry on the good fight in what I regard as the greatest sport in South Africa.
“I think we are a more disciplined, better run and a much more focused sport than we were in 2006. But after ten hard years in the hot seat it’s time for me to hand over to a new person to carry this heavy burden, but wonderful privilege.”
Mr Mark Alexander, deputy president, will act as interim president until an election can be held.
sarugby
Day of big announcements: Gregor Townsend will become Scotland head coach, in June 2017 when Vern Cotter’s contract runs out.
Hard to believe that loser was in charge for a decade
But then again maybe not
bit harsh Grunter. You had personal dealings with him then? Just asking the obvious.
@ Tassies:
I was unfortunate enough to have sat across the table from him in a meeting in his suite atop the Michaelangelo.
I will not be fretting too much about his departure, but will be VERY worried if Mark Alexander stays as interim President for longer than a day!
Can’t say that am sad to see him go.
Springbok team to face Argentina on Saturday:
15 Johan Goosen, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Teboho Mohoje, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Lodewyk de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Julian Redelinghuys, 2 Adriaan Strauss (captain), 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Jaco Kriel, 21 Rudy Paige, 22 Juan de Jongh, 23 Jesse Kriel.
Henri Schoeman you little beaut. Nobody’s ever heard of you and you creep up from relative nowhere and win an Olympic medal. What a wonderful achievement. I’m chuffed for him/us.
@ Bullscot: that team has a ‘nice’ ring of ‘development’ about it. It sticks out like a throbbing thumb. Oh well, if this is what the future holds(and it is), I personally wont hold my breath about high expectations. We’ll be competitive but I don’t expect us to win anything. If I’m wrong, let me be the first to eat humble pie. Not too hungry right now.
@ Tassies:
Hi Tassies, Yes it was a fantastic race by him. First time ever he made the podium in a international race. He had a great swim and just hung in on the bike .. I think he did not really want to do any work in the front bunch as it would have counted against his better known teammate Richard Murray who was in the chasing bunch. Murray eventually came 4th after a blistering run.
Ho-hum, just another day in Gauteng…
http://ewn.co.za/2016/08/18/N1-motorist-tells-of-chaotic-scenes-in-police-shoot-out
BTW, an anagram for Gauteng is Get-a-gun
Whatever the future holds for you Oregan………I hope and trust, things go well.
Oregon has just resigned from the toughest job in World Rugby.
The second toughest being Bokke Coach.
And whatever some of you mothers say about him, lets do a count back:
– He was re-elected as SARU President, Not once, Not twice, But thrice.
– So after being initially elected, the SA Provinces had 3 chances to be rid of him. And they never did take up that option. Perhaps they knew the man better than the great unwashed.
– He was elected to the IRB in 2006 and rose to be Vice President. (and that is not the President in control of Vice).
– Oregon remained VP of World Rugby until May of this year, when he did not seek re-election. It appears to me, The World may be a better judge of this man than his own Country.
Player drain to Europe/Japan, Politics, Provincialism, Rabid Irrational Fans, a Hostile Press………………………………………….he was in a no win position right from the start.
And for what it’s worth. This man represented SA Overseas with decorum, dignity and most all, Class.
cane wrote:
Cane
Your assesment all seems well and true. HOWEVER not much is ever what it seems at first glance in SA Rugby.
Hoskens did a fair job, but my personal experiences with him would indicate that it is not a question of WYSYWYG.
In my experience I would describe him as at best dishonest, at worlst a blatent liar.
Sure there were many opportunities to dislodge him, as Jurie Roux has now managed and we are left with the worst administrator in the Southern hemispere as an Interim President.
Let us not forget that even the most vicious of dictators in the history of mankind have had those that have supported them and kept them in power. It does not mean they should be there though.
Expect a good power struggle to develop now.
I know of at least 1 Provincial President who expressed a desire for Hoskens post quite a few years ago.
Interesting times await us methinks.
And to those on Olympics watch, a “hearty well done” 5o Sunnette Viljoen.
Oh great, rugby blog heavyweights are back…………..! 😀
So for the first time in ages I have blog space….. So where do rugby bloggers hang out nowadays?
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