SARU standing firm behind Roux

The dramatic announcement - confirmation of a decision the council had first taken in 2014 - was made on Thursday.

SARU said they had sought "expert legal opinion" in the wake of renewed reporting of allegations against Roux - contained in a report on the funding of Stellenbosch University Rugby Club.

Advocate SA Cilliers and Professor Michael Katz were asked to review SARU's handling of the matter and the relevant labour law on the basis of the evidence at hand.

"Their review confirmed that SARU's Executive Council had appropriately applied their fiduciary duties and also advised that it would be an unfair labour practice to take action against an employee on perceptions of third parties or on the basis of a report of which the facts had not been tested in court." SARU said in a statement.

"They recommended that SA Rugby continued to employ Roux – as long as he performed satisfactorily.

"In light of the opinion, the Executive Council confirmed their unanimous support for Roux.

"His performance in the role has been of an exemplary standard, during which time he has at no stage brought the game into disrepute.

"SA Rugby regards the matter as now closed until the outcome of any legal action between the two parties."