SASCOC now also backing Roux

Less than 24 hours after getting the unconditional support of his employers, the South African Rugby Union, the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee has also thrown its weight behind Roux.

SASCOC and SARU met in Johannesburg on Friday - a meeting attended by Roux, SASCOC President Gideon Sam and SARU President Oregan Hoskins.

And the national sports body also made it clear that Roux also has their support.

Roux is yet to appear in court, despite damning allegations contained in a provisional report drawn up by KPMG and commissioned by the university.

Roux's lawyer, Frikkie Erasmus, recently told rugby365 that his client is 'anxious' to get to court to clear his name (listen to interview above).

The matter has been dragging on for more than four years and in 2014 the General Council of SARU unanimously approved a five-year extension of the contract of Roux as the CEO of the organisation - despite the allegations levelled against Roux.

Oregan Hoskins, the President of SARU, said that the Exco had applied its mind to allegations appearing in the media relating to activities at Stellenbosch University during the time of Roux's employment there.

"We were made aware of certain allegations and we have interrogated them," he said back in 2014.

"We are satisfied with the explanations that Jurie Roux has given to us.

"It is gratifying that, despite all the publicity, the 14 member unions of SARU voted unanimously to approve Jurie's reappointment."

On Thursday SARU again aired their support for Roux, despite ongoing media speculation surrounding the university investigation.

And on Friday SASCOC also added the weight of their support to the Roux camp.

The SASCOC release in full: "After meeting with the Portfolio Committee and looking at the media exchange in relation to the South African Rugby Union (SARU), the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) called the leadership of SARU into a meeting which took place at Olympic House today [Friday].

"SASCOC President Gideon Sam, CEO Tubby Reddy and SARU's President Oregan Hoskins, Deputy President Mark Alexander, Vice President James Stofberg and CEO Jurie Roux, attended the meeting.

"We took note of the statement put out by SARU on Thursday 3 March 2016 and essentially we were taken through the process that was engaged in on the issue of allegations against SARU CEO.

"It's not true that SARU CEO Jurie Roux didn't disclose an investigation against him by his previous employer to SARU because he was employed in 2010 and the case only surfaced in 2013, three years down the line.

"SARU leadership engaged legal opinion and in this process sought two legal opinions. We are satisfied as SASCOC, that our member SARU, and its leadership have exercised their fiduciary responsibilities as per correct process and as further attested to by the Katz/Cillier Legal Opinion.

"Finally, let it be understood that Jurie Roux is legally employed and contracted to SARU till 2021 as CEO and that the case against him is in the court of law and will unfold according to the process of the law."