SA Rugby avoid crisis as SWD lodge Valke dispute, nearly pull out of troubled Mzansi Challenge

SA Rugby avoided another crisis related to their troubled second tier tournament, the Mzansi Challenge, after South Western Districts (SWD)  Eagles lodged a dispute against fellow semi-finalists Valke on the eve of the knockout games.

The competition has been shrouded in controversy from the get go after Israeli team Tel Aviv Heat’s invitation was withdrawn at the 11th hour, which prompted a political storm earlier this year.

There were also reports of threats against South African Rugby Union president Mark Alexander after the Heat were booted out, which he downplayed at the time.

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The tournament faced another hurdle this week when SWD threatened to pull out of their semi-final clash with local rivals Boland.

In communication seen by News24, SWD president Ben Brinkhuis wrote to the rugby mother body listing a myriad complaints, the chief among them that Valke were awarded log points (four for a win) after refusing to play against the San Clemente Rhinos, Heat’s replacements.

The Rhinos, an American-Mexican team invited to face Currie Cup First Division teams, had also plunged the tournament into deep controversy earlier this season when it emerged that they intended to use a squad full of South African club rugby players from Pretoria North-based Naka Bulls.

The move did not go down well with some unions as Valke declined to play against them after discovering that 18 of their 23 match day players were sourced from Naka Bulls Rugby Club.

Thereafter, SA Rugby decided that games against Rhinos would constitute "friendlies". Valke, however, kept the win points from the forfeited game against Rhinos and ended top of the Mzansi Challenge log after