SA Rugby nepotism scandal

Provincial rugby unions in South Africa are reportedly furious after it was revealed that a company run by the son of SA Rugby chief executive Rian Oberholzer has been appointed to organise the highly anticipated Springboks v Ireland Tests in July without a tender process.

Access Management Services (AMS), the company in question, was appointed for the Tests at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on July 6 and Kings Park in Durban on July 13.

An anonymous rugby boss at a local union told Afrikaans newspaper Rapport, “This is nepotism at its worst,” while another said, “It’s a major conflict of interests.”

SA Rugby Defends Appointment, Citing World Rugby Recommendation

SA Rugby insists that the appointment was made following a World Rugby recommendation and based on a “conflict management framework” designed to avoid potential conflicts.

The framework “specifically includes independent committees, while excluding the CEO [Oberholzer],” said the governing body in a statement.

Oberholzer and former SA Rugby managing director Songezo Nayo established ASM in 2009, with Oberholzer serving as the managing director and Nayo as the chairperson.

The company initially focused on managing the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium in Gqeberha but has since expanded its operations.

Oberholzer Family Ties to AMS

Lourens Oberholzer, Rian Oberholzer’s son, was appointed as AMS’ chief operating officer in 2017, while his daughter Adriana took up the position as the company’s strategy and growth manager in 2023.

Lourens’ wife Anika serves as its operations manager. In 2022, Lourens became AMS’ chief executive.

Rian Oberholzer, who previously served as SA Rugby’s chief executive between 1996 and 2003, was reappointed last year until at least the end of 2025.

He denied any wrongdoing, stating, “I didn’t appoint AMS [to work for SARU]. The company was a service provider to SARU before my appointment [as CEO].”

SARU Cites Busy Schedule as Reason for AMS Appointment

A SARU spokesperson told Rapport that AMS was involved in organising the Springboks v Ireland Tests because it will take place during a very busy period for the governing body. “AMS was appointed because of its experience and expertise in event delivery and to fill an immediate, short-term need,” he said.

SARU is responsible for delivering six Test matches and three World Rugby events in 2024, as well as domestic competitions such as the Carling Currie Cup and Youth Weeks, with an operations department of just two people.

The spokesperson confirmed that no tender process was followed in AMS’ appointment, stating that World Rugby was impressed with AMS’ work during the WXV series in October 2022 and recommended the company be used again this year.