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Div's Boland deal causes stir

Cape Town - The South African Rugby Union has moved swiftly to downplay reports that Springbok coach Peter de Villiers has placed himself in a compromising position by being part of a company that has acquired 50 percent shares in the Boland Rugby Union.

A SARU statement issued on Sunday, read: "Media are advised that Springbok coach Peter de Villiers was approached to become part of a consortium to purchase shares in the Boland Rugby Union."

"He reported the approach to SARU president, Oregan Hoskins, but no transaction has taken place," the statement added.

"Hoskins and De Villiers are both overseas at the moment and a meeting will be held to discuss the proposal on their return."

However, this has been contradicted by a report in Rapport, which claims a reporter of theirs was present when De Villiers signed the deal.

According to Rapport, De Villiers, singer Kurt Darren, Bulls captain Victor Matfield and a Paarl businessman, Renier Swart, are shareholders in a company called 'Game Plan' and it is through this company that they obtained the 50 percent shareholding in the BRU for R5 million.

De Villiers, who according to Rapport was present at the signing of the deal in another contradiction to the SARU statement, has already acquired a 10 percent shareholding in the Game Plan company.

The Boland Rugby Union comprises some 235 clubs and 15 000 players.

SARU president Hoskins, who has just had his role extended by four years, was caught unawares when Rapport contacted him.

"In no way is this permitted," he was quoted as saying in the newspaper.

Hoskins admitted it would be a compromise of De Villiers's position should he have a business interest in a specific provincial union.

According to the report, Hoskins contacted De Villiers immediately after being informed of the news and instructed him to end the business relationship.
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