Cape Town - Mark Alexander will act as interim president of the South African Rugby Union (SARU) until an election for a new president is held.
This was confirmed by SARU on Wednesday after Oregan Hoskins announced that he was stepping down as president.
Alexander had been acting as Hoskins' deputy.
Hoskins advised the membership of SARU of his decision at a meeting of the general council in Johannesburg on Wednesday.
He was in the firing line with several provincial unions reportedly eager to see him replaced.