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Cape Town - Jurie Roux, the newly appointed chief executive of SARU, feels that his performance as the business guru of South African rugby will be linked to the success of the national rugby team.
Roux held his first press conference in his capacity as national rugby's new chief executive officer at Newlands on Monday afternoon.
"This is a very public position and the success of this organisation gets judged on the field," said Roux.
"All the focus is on the Springboks and how they perform."
When Roux starts his tenure on September 1, one of his first tasks will be to oversee the amalgamation of SARU and SA Rugby (Pty) Ltd to ensure a smooth transition. He said he has yet to establish what his focus and goals will be but he will not be influenced by his observations of national rugby's administration in the past.
"I have perceptions (about how rugby was run) but perceptions can be dangerous," said Roux. "I will take my lead from the executive council and find out what their priorities are.
"I would like to improve whatever there is at SA Rugby at the moment. I also have to understand the structures of SA Rugby.
"I did not see much wrong with SA Rugby while I was at Western Province." Roux is presently the vice-president of Western Province RFU and chairman of Stellenbosch Rugby Club.
"I am passionate about rugby and the business of rugby," said Roux. "I am looking forward to the challenge and to experience the position.
"I have learnt many lessons from rugby, and I have been given lots of advice while I've been in the business of rugby.
"I don't even know what I am going to get paid and all I know about the job is what I've seen in the job description as it was advertised in the newspaper.
"But I will say that it is hard to fault an organization that is financially stable."
Factfile: Jurie Roux
Full name: Jurie Wynand Roux
Born: September 5, 1970, Strand
Educated: Paarl Gymnasium, University of Stellenbosch
Qualifications
B.Comm (Management Accounting); B.Comm (Financial Accounting); BBA (Business Management and Administration); LLB (Bachelor of Laws); MBA (Complete – awaiting approval of thesis)
Experience
Senior director: Finance and Asset Management, University of Stellenbosch; Chairman African Sun Media (Pty) Ltd; Director PURCO (Pty) Ltd; Director SUSPI (Pty) Ltd; Chairman USKOR Trust.
Rugby credentials
Player Stellenbosch Rugby Football Club (fullback) 1989-1998; Maties tour manager (eight overseas tours) 2000 to present; Assistant first team coach 2000-2001; Maties first team manager 2002-2004; Chairman Stellenbosch Rugby Football Club 2004 to present; Team manager SA Students since 2007; Director WP Rugby (Pty) Ltd since 2008; Vice-president Western Province Rugby Football Union since 2008; Chairman Varsity Cup Board since 2009.
