South African Rugby
SARU listens to Erasmus' Twenty20 plan
Scrum.com
June 27, 2010
Stormers coach Rassie Erasmus speaks to the media, Stormers Super 14 press conference, Bellville High Perfomance Centre, Cape Town, South Africa, February 17, 2009
Rassie Erasmus has presented his new proposal to SARU © Getty Images
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The South African Rugby Union (SARU) has confirmed a meeting with Rassie Erasmus to discuss the former Springbok flanker's proposal for a new, short form of the game to mirror cricket's highly successful Twenty20 competitions.

The format, influenced by the success of the IPL, would see matches played in two 20-minute halves with rules amended to reduce kicking. Erasmus, currently director of coaching at Western Province, presented the plans to a five-man SARU panel in East London, where the Springboks beat Italy on Saturday.

The panel, who confirmed that any tournament would require SARU backing, are now set to report back to their member unions, SANZAR and the IRB.

"A delegation from the South African Rugby Union met the developers of a proposed new rugby competition in East London on Sunday," a SARU statement read. "The five-man SARU delegation received a formal presentation from Rassie Erasmus and Frikkie Erasmus on a proposal to hold a pre-season rugby tournament in South Africa in January 2012.

"Mr.Oregan Hoskins, the president of SARU, made it clear at the meeting that any such tournament would require the sanction of SARU before it could be held."

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