Edgar Rathbone, the CEO of the Blue Bulls (Pty) Ltd, has been elected chairman of the South African Rugby Employers’ Organisation (SAREO).

He succeeds Thando Manana, the former Springbok, who stood down following his decision to resign as the general manager of the Eastern Province Rugby Union. His resignation made him ineligible to hold a position in SAREO.

SAREO is the representative council of the professional and amateur rugby employers in South Africa, managing relationships with the players’ union (MyPlayers – SARPA) and the non-playing employees (Sport Employees Unite (SEU)) representing employers’ interests to SA Rugby.

Veda Manie (the CEO of the South Western District Rugby Union) was elected as vice chairman in succession to Rathbone while Marius van Rensburg, the CEO of the Mpumalanga Pumas, was elected to the executive, joining incumbents Eduard Coetzee (Sharks), Pieter Burger (Ellis Park (Pty) Ltd), Eugene Fourie (Leopards) and SA Rugby representative, Ian Schwartz.

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Thando Manana joins Blue Bulls Company

The Blue Bulls Company announced yesterday that former Bulls and Springbok player, Thando Manana, will join them as Special Projects Manager.

The former loose-forward recently played a role as General Manager at the Eastern Province Rugby Union – a position he occupied with aplomb – and also served as chairman of the South African Rugby Employers’ Organisation (SAREO).

BBCo chief executive officer, Edgar Rathbone said they know Thando’s track record and passion for all things rugby and they therefore have no doubt that he will add great value to the company and rugby in the region.

“He will be structuring a way to align the Blue Bulls Company with SA Rugby and World Rugby’s strategic objectives to professionalize women’s rugby and to establish us as the trendsetters in South African professional women’s rugby. Blue Bulls women’s rugby seeks to consolidate its position in the upcoming inter-provincial league and become the best women’s provincial side in SA rugby and be able to compete on the international stage when the opportunity arises,” Rathbone explained.

Manana said on his appointment: “It is a privilege to return to serve at the Blue Bulls Company, where I cut my teeth and reached great heights in my playing days. This union and region have always had a special place in my heart. To be able to return to make a further contribution as Special Projects Manager is something I look forward to”.

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