‘BENNIE, IS DIT RUGBY OF POLITICS?’ – DA’s Liam Jacobs takes aim at Boland rugby boss

Rasaad Adams|Published 3 weeks ago

DA HOTSHOT Liam Jacobs has taken aim at Boland Rugby Union baas Bennie van Rooi, questioning whether Van Rooi should be mixing his political ambitions with his influential position in sport.

Van Rooi, who is the Patriotic Alliance’s mayoral candidate for Langeberg Municipality in the November local elections, recently came under fire after a video went viral in which he called on local rugby club chairpersons to support him politically in the same way they support him in rugby.

“Ek het ’n baie eenvoudige vraag; behoort politiek in rugby?” Jacobs asked.

Jacobs said the video placed club officials in a difficult position because Van Rooi oversees matters including Boland rugby affiliations, matches and development funds.

“Just place yourself in the shoes of those chairpersons. He literally called on them to support him in politics. This is the man who has oversight over Boland rugby’s affiliation, matches, development funds and all those things.”

He also took issue with Van Rooi saying he would remain president of the Boland Rugby Union regardless of the outcome of the municipal election.

“Something about that statement just seems off to me. We are not saying that he cannot stand for mayor - it is his democratic right. However, we are saying that he has to choose.”

“We cannot allow politicians to use their office to misuse our sport. He apologised for that video and that is good.

“But he still finds himself in both seats. He must take his politics and leave sport.”

Van Rooi could not be reached for comment on Jacobs’ remarks.

Speaking to Daily Voice last week, he said the video was recorded during an informal gathering with local Boland rugby stakeholders and was not intended as a political appeal on behalf of the union.

“As leaders we sometimes make mistakes, and Saturday was one of those occasions where my judgement let me down. I accept full responsibility for my actions,” he said.

Van Rooi said he had acted in his personal capacity.

“I want to make it clear that my actions were in my personal capacity and not in my capacity as President of the Boland Rugby Union,” he said.

South African Rugby Union spokesperson Andy Colquhoun previously told Daily Voice: “There are no constitutional restrictions in rugby preventing individuals holding political party membership or office. Rugby respects constitutional freedoms.”

The DA in Langeberg has also condemned what it described as the political misuse of Van Rooi’s rugby presidency.

“Sport should bring communities together, not become a tool for politicking. Leaders in sport are expected to protect the integrity of the organisations they lead.

“Langeberg residents deserve leaders who put their interests first, not politicians who use positions of influence to gain political advantage,” said DA Constituency Head in Langeberg Daylin Mitchell.