If embattled Fort Hare Blues fail to honour their next two Border Rugby Super League matches, they could be automatically relegated.
The Blues team did not pitch for their game against Young Leopards at the weekend due to disputes between some of their first-choice players and the institution.
Two weeks ago, the university fielded a second-string team in their encounter against Moonlight because the majority of the team members are subject to internal disciplinary action by the university for an alleged illegal strike about a month ago during the USSA games in Pretoria.
The standoff between the players and the university in the capital saw the team allegedly evicted from their hotel in Hatfield, with some players left to sleep on the streets.
Players said the eviction followed a decision not to participate in their final match of the games due to unresolved grievances around accommodation, travel and lack of medical support, claims denied by the university.
The university said the players were not “forcibly evicted” but instructed to return to Dikeni after boycotting the tournament.
It said a couple of days later that university officials had met 16 of the 26 players, along with their parents and legal guardians, in Dikeni.
It was said before the Moonlight game that the UFH rugby team would comprise players who did not participate in the illegal strike, as well as eligible Blues alumni.
The second-string team lost 38-0 in Mooiplaas, and this past weekend, the players did not show up.
Border Rugby executive member Thabo Sixam, in charge of club-related matters, said the university was yet to clarify why they had missed the weekend’s game.
“UFH are pretty much aware of what the constitution and the bylaws of BRU state with regard to games not attended,” he said.
As per the union’s bylaws, they will be demoted to the bottom tier Premier League if they miss two more games.
Sixam said Fort Hare’s participation was important to the league.
“The union looks to build and develop a strong relationship with both our institutions, WSU and UFH, as they form a pivotal part of the union’s development and growth,” he said.
Fort Hare uses the league as preparation for the Varsity Shield, which usually takes place in February each year.
They had won five of their seven league matches before the USSA games, with two losses against Moonlight and Young Leopards, ruled a walkover.
Attempts to obtain comment from UFH spokesperson JP Roodt were unsuccessful by the time of publication, despite numerous promises to forward it.
Last week, before the no-show, former Blues head coach Lumumba Currie raised concerns about how the situation was being handled.
Currie mentored the Blues into their first Varsity Shield tournament in 2022.
He believes the players could settle their concerns with the university without applying the “no-show at games” approach.
Dikeni development coach Collin Heshula called for Fort Hare’s management and administrators to urgently address these concerns in an “open, sincere and amicable manner”.
“Continued denial or dismissal of players’ grievances will only accelerate the decline of this proud institution.
“As a passionate rugby community member and a committed development coach, it is heartbreaking to witness the reigning 2024 Brutten champions endure such a dark and demoralising chapter.
“While we take no sides in this ongoing crisis, we hope the University of Fort Hare management will choose the path of integrity, leadership and responsibility — so that players can return to doing what they do best: playing rugby,” he said.
Daily Dispatch
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