Fireworks as SARU executive exits EP election after explosive Cannon's scathing criticism

SA Rugby executive board member Jannie Louw walked out of the Eastern Province Rugby Union's (EPRU) elective conference after elected-president Maasdorp Cannon doubled down on his criticism of the mother body.

Rugby administrator Louw was in Gqeberha for Saturday's conference as the South African Rugby Union's (SARU) observer to the proceedings.

However, Louw, who has been part of SARU's administration of the Southern Kings before, alongside late rugby administrator Monde Tabata, staged a walkout during Cannon's acceptance speech in which he censured the rugby governing body.

Cannon defeated his competitor for the EP president's post Vernon Stuurman by 108 votes to 77 at Callie High School.

According to the Herald, Cannon celebrated the occasion by reiterating his scornful stance on SARU, saying the sporting federation had not done enough to remove racism in rugby.

This came after Cannon told mourners at former prop Godfrey Thorne's memorial service a few weeks ago that SARU president Alexander and deputy president Francois Davids were "sell-outs" and that the Springbok emblem was "racist".

Louw, however, wasn't having it.

"You (Cannon) are totally wrong and are telling lies to the people," he is quoted as saying to Cannon in the conference before walking out.

"Go to the government and ask government for stats. You will see the stats. Don't tell lies."

However, Cannon would not backtrack, although adding that it was "a pity about (Louw's) exit."

"I spent 14 months in detention for what I believed in, and the time for change is now," said Cannon in the aftermath of the storm.

"We have treated him (Louw) with respect, and that is disrespectful. We even allowed him to interject in the programme as an observer, which is not allowed.

"I