New EP Rugby president robbed by gunmen

Cape Town - New Eastern Province Rugby Union president Andre Rademan was robbed and held at gunpoint at his business in Port Elizabeth earlier this week.

READ: EP president not panicking over potential Super Rugby axe

According to the HeraldLIVE website, cash as well as the rugby union’s administration documents were stolen when Rademan was ambushed at his business, George Motors.

A gang of about six made off with R40 000 in the robbery, however the EPRU documents were later recovered inside Rademan's stolen vehicle.

Rademan recently replaced Cheeky Watson, who stepped down from his role as president of the EPRU in February.

It came after SA Rugby announced that the administration of the EPRU was set to be returned to local hands following a series of ground-breaking decisions at a special general meeting in Port Elizabeth.

The EPRU’s affairs had been placed into the administrative control of SA Rugby - at the union’s invitation - in April 2016 to help regularise the union’s affairs as it faced a number of financial challenges.

Under Watson as president, the EPRU plunged into a financial crisis in 2015, with the union unable to pay players’ salaries.

Watson had promised a R200m sponsorship for the Kings but this failed to materialise, with players forced to accept food vouchers following the non-payment of salaries.

SA Rugby was eventually forced to step in and take control of the union which was eventually liquidated.