The South African Andy Marinos has been named the new head of southern hemisphere rugby's governing body, SANZAR, replacing New Zealand's Greg Peters who earlier this year took up a position with the Argentine Rugby Union.
South Africa rugby coach Heyneke Meyer and administrator Andy Marinos. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Marinos, a Wales international in 2002-03, was previously involved in a commercial and marketing role with the South African Rugby Union.
Marinos played his club rugby in South Africa.
He says he's incredibly proud to have been given the responsibility of leading the ongoing growth and prosperity of southern hemisphere rugby, with SANZAR about to embark on an exciting new expansion that will see the game delivered to more countries, fans and commercial markets than ever before.
South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina all made the semi-finals of the just completed World Cup, shutting out northern hemisphere teams from the last four of the global showpiece for the first time.
Meanwhile the South African Rugby Union has established a task force to oversee the running of the troubled Super Rugby franchise, the Southern Kings.
The Kings announced last week that they were broke and were unable to pay players and officials in October.
The Port Elizabeth based Kings are returning to the expanded Super Rugby competition after being relegated in 2013.
The SARU group will meet in Cape Town tomorrow to put in place the structures and processes required to take control of the running of the Southern Kings.