The Cheetahs will not stand with the rest of the local unions opposed to paying the fees that SA Rugby has charged for the international matches they host in 2024.
According to an article in Rapport on Sunday, rugby bosses from the Sharks, Bulls, Stormers and Lions have sought legal opinion after SARU reportedly requested a combined R85 million in fees for hosting the six Tests in the Republic this year.
However, speaking to News24, Cheetahs CEO Ross van Reenen explains that the Free State outfit are “grateful” to be able to host a Test, noting that the hosting fee model has previously been standard practice.
The Springboks will face Portugal in a historic first meeting between the teams in Bloemfontein on 20 July.
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“To be honest, I need to state from the outset that we’re simply just grateful to be awarded a Test for Bloemfontein,” Van Reenen told News24. “If that entails paying a guarantee or hosting fee, then so be it.
“In principle, this really isn’t some radical and controversial new decree. I still remember how we had to pay a substantial fee to host the 2018 Test against England.
“I can say with a clear conscience that I’m really happy we’ve secured a Test for the City of Roses. We’ll definitely be paying our fee.”
He believes the issue of Test match hosting fees is expected to be a contentious one during a SARU general council meeting on Thursday, adding: “It’s going to be a prickly issue at the meeting. We’ll have to see.”
Photo: Duif du Toit/Gallo Images/Getty Images
The post Cheetahs ‘happy to pay’ for Bok Test appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Src: sarugbymag.co.za
