In one of those ironies typical of the politics of the local game, a meeting of SA Rugby's general council on Thursday, which should've been notable for the expected distribution of much-needed information on ongoing negotiations over a potential equity deal, now looks set to dominated by a simmering row over Test match hosting fees.
The issue has exploded into the public sphere after the local governing body indicated to the six unions hosting Springbok Tests in 2024 that it will be recouping a collective R85 million in guarantees, a course of action the URC franchises - the Bulls, Lions, Sharks and Stormers - argue flouts the relevant condition of a funding model agreed upon for 2020-2024.
Animosity in this regard has been brewing for several weeks now, with the franchise chairmen collectively raising the issue thrice in correspondence with SA Rugby, where they've asked for a"comprehensive meeting" on it and other longstanding outstanding matters.South Africans need to be in the know if we want to create a prosperous future. News24 has kept the country informed for 25 years, and we're about to enter a new chapter of fearless journalism.
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