Newlands' mooted heritage status 'nothing to do with WP's financial problems' - ex-Springbok

Former Springbok Wynand Claassen has pushed back at suggestions that declaring Newlands Rugby Stadium a heritage side would spell the end of Western Province rugby.

This week, SA Rugby administrator Rian Oberholzer, charged with getting Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU) back in the black, said if heritage status is granted, it would "kill rugby" in the province.

READ | Newlands saga: Western Province to foot bill for upkeep if heritage status granted

Claassen is the face of a quartet that submitted an application to Heritage Western Cape, hoping to have Newlands rendered a provincial heritage site.

This would make selling the property - believed to be worth R360 million on book value - difficult for Oberholzer, whose mandate is to complete the sale.

The matter is sitting with Heritage Western Cape, who will make a determination after receiving public submissions by 31 January.

Claassen, however, said "it’s a misconception" that WP’s and by proxy the Stormers’ future prospects hinged on the Newlands sale.

"It is a misconception and is misleading the public," Claassen told News24 in an emailed response.

"The Stormers (and WP Rugby) is one of the strongest brands in South Africa. Huge team sponsors should stand in line to sponsor the franchise and rugby in the province.

"The financial predicament that the WPRFU finds themselves in has got nothing to do with the historical significance of the Newlands Rugby Stadium. Rugby would never die in WP.

"Therefore, a heritage application and heritage site has got nothing to do with the WP financial problems. The union should find other means to solve their financial problems and the administrators who were responsible for this demise should be taken to task."

WPRFU owe, among