Zelt Marais beat Peter Jooste in Monday night’s General Council vote to replace outgoing Western Province Rugby President Thelo Wakefield.
Marais, who was Deputy President for the last two years and also served as a member of the Executive Committee for the last 12 years, takes over during a difficult time at the union and has promised in the build-up to the elections that he will bring change to help save the union.
A sound background in finance, Marais believes he has what it takes to turn the union into a successful one, both on and off the pitch.
After winning the election, Marais said: “It is a great honour for me to be voted into this prestigious position and I will give my all to fulfil my mandate from the clubs and lead the Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU) into the future.”
After serving as President of the union since 2012, Wakefield says he steps aside knowing he gave his all to the union.
The former President says: “It has been a pleasure to serve the WPRFU for the last 28 years and especially the last six years as President. I have given my all for this Union and will cherish the memories made during my term of office.”
Western Province Rugby Group CEO Paul Zacks thanked Wakefield for his service and welcomed Marais as the new President.
Zacks says: “I'd like to thank Thelo Wakefield for his years of service to Western Province Rugby and look forward to forming a close partnership going forward with Zelt Marais as the new President.”
Jooste was named as one of the additional members on the WP Executive Committee, with Moneeb Levy voted in as Deputy President and Spencer King (unopposed) the Vice President.
WPRFU EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President
Zelt Marais
Deputy President
Moneeb Levy
Vice President
Spencer King (unopposed)
Additional members
Peter Jooste
Nadeema Khan
Kevin Kiewietz
Junaid Moerat
Reuben Riffel
Quintin van Rooyen
Mario Williams
Anele Zita