WP Rugby won't acknowledge SA Rugby as president Zelt Marais questions Jurie Roux's position

The ongoing saga between suspended Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU) president Zelt Marais and SA Rugby seems to have no end in sight.

In a letter sent electronically to members of the council of WPRFU and published by Rugby365 on Wednesday, Marais questioned why no action has yet to be taken against SA Rugby CEO Jurie Roux, while also attacking the media.

He also stated that because of the Roux saga, "SARU is not capable of being the custodian of rugby in this country and at present the purported custodian of the affairs of the WPRFU."

In December, Roux lost an appeal against an arbitrator who ruled that he misappropriated funds between 2002 and 2010 when he worked for Stellenbosch University's finance department.

Roux was ordered to pay back R37 million to the university with Rapport saying the board of SA Rugby convene in January to rule on Roux's future. 

"Regrettably my last letter, together with my first letter has been construed by the media in a manner that is meant to buttress the powers that wish to control rugby in this country in order to serve their own personal interests," said Marais in the letter.

"Firstly, the media and Jurie Roux have conveniently forgotten the finding against him by an institution of law that he has misappropriated the funds of the University of Stellenbosch, whilst he was employed thereat in a position of trust and a custodian of said funds.

"Secondly, SARU has forgotten its undertaking to respond to the South African public in relation to that finding by no later than January 2022.

"Needless to say, January 2022 has come and gone and no word regarding that finding has come forth.

"And why? Because no utterance can come forth other than Roux is relieved of his duties? And