Pienaar steps down as VC Chairman

1995 World Cup-winning Springbok skipper Francois Pienaar has stepped down from his role as Varsity Cup Chairman and he will be replaced by Stellenbosch's Jurie Roux.

Pienaar, who has played a leading role in the undoubted success of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International, has started his own sports marketing company and has therefore been required to relinquish his role as chairman.

As a result, Maties stalwart Jurie Roux (pictured, right) was elected as the new Varsity Cup Board Chairman and he will head up a new-look eight-man Varsity Cup Board.

Pienaar will still feature on the board - as the Head of Sponsorships, in his role with sponsors FNB - whilst Managing Director Duitser Bosman has had his title altered to that of CEO.

In other changes to the Varsity Cup Board, Shimlas' Marius Janse van Rensburg has replaced TUT's Willie Hills as the Head of Legal, Pukke's Mervyn Taylor has taken over Bosman's duties as the man in charge of Marketing and Logistics and Derrik Mathew - of sponsors Steinhoff - has been co-opted onto the board as a member without a vote.

Bosman, meanwhile, will continue to head up Varsity Cup operations, despite his change of title.

"Francois has played a huge role in the development of the FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International and the tournament will always remain close to his heart," explained Bosman to varsitycup.co.za.

"Of course, he will still be involved in his capacity as Head of Sponsorships on the Varsity Cup Board, but this is also a great opportunity for Jurie Roux to continue the great work he has done with Maties since the inception of the Varsity Cup.

"We are well down the road with our planning for the 2010 Varsity Cup," added Bosman, "and we have a number of exciting new ideas we will be looking to implement in order to keep developing this fantastic tournament."

The full Varsity Cup Board:
Chairman and Finances: Jurie Roux (Maties)
Sponsorships: Francois Pienaar (FNB)
Legal: Marius Janse van Rensburg (Shimlas)
Marketing and Logistics: Mervyn Taylor (Pukke)
Co-opted member: Derrik Mathew (Steinhoff)
Saru: Mervin Green
USSA: Sakkie Booysen
CEO: Duitser Bosman (Varsity Cup)