Explainer: The retrenchment drama at the Bulls

Earlier this week, Tim Dlulane, a former Springbok and team manager of the Blue Bulls, caused a stir by alleging the union’s process of laying off certain employees is flawed and perhaps even prejudicial.

It’s yet another chapter in the steady decline of one of the powerhouses in South African rugby.

Here’s what you need to know.

What is Dlulane on about?

He is one of five employees that have been retrenched as part of the Blue Bulls Company’s (BBC) turnaround strategy.

The 36-year-old, who toured with Jake White’s Springboks to Europe in 2004, told Netwerk24 that he’s not bitter over his own treatment but insists the process has lacked transparency.

He’s also questioned whether the BBC is fully committed to transformation and is adamant its high performance manager, Xander Janse van Rensburg, is escaping scrutiny for his role in the union’s troubles.

Why is the BBC alleged to be supporting transformation?

Well, four of the five retrenched employees are non-white.

They are: Dewey Swartbooi and Denzil Frans (Under-19 coaches), Dlulane and Nqubeko Zulu (Under-21 team manager).

Swartbooi was only recruited at the end of last season yet has already lost his job.

Senior defence coach, Pine Pienaar, is the only white individual to have been retrenched.

Why is Janse van Rensburg a key player in this saga?

The BBC raised some eyebrows when they appointed him as high performance manager in May 2012.

Janse van Rensburg was relatively unknown and also considered very young for such an important portfolio.

It’s difficult not to argue his role in recruitment and contracting has played a role in the Bulls’ decline.

Not only is he alleged to have alienated various senior players with his inflexible negotiation tactics, he also needs to take some responsibility for some questionable player acquisitions.

Dlulane says Janse van Rensburg has created a “toxic environment” at the Bulls, while Springbok and Bulls legend Bakkies Botha also weighed in on the debate.

EK HET DIT SIEN KOM. Dit is om n nier te verwyder.As die probleem by die ❤️ le. 🙈🙈🙈🙈🏉🏉🏉🏉 https://t.co/nicC9M9WZr

— Bakkies Botha (@BakkiesBotha4) October 30, 2017

Botha has previously questioned Janse van Rensburg’s suitability for the role and said on Twitter on Tuesday that “I saw this coming!”.

He added: “This is like removing the liver when the problem lies with the heart.”

Why have the Bulls implemented a turnaround strategy?

It’s not going all that well with the union money-wise.

A tough economic climate, an under-performing team and poor attendance figures are all cited as factors for the Bulls’ financial situation.

What have the BBC said about the transformation allegations?

Barend van Graan, chief executive, believes the best way to answer that is with raw numbers.

Following the retrenchment process, the BBC’s high performance department boasts 17 non-white employees out of 33.

That amounts to a percentage of 51%.

He also noted that 36% of all contracted players at the Bulls are non-white.

Is the retrenchment process solid?

It’s been done in accordance with section 189 and 189A of the Labour Relations Act.

An independent lawyer has handled the process.

What about Janse van Rensburg?

Van Graan says he’s been the victim of a vendetta through the spread of misinformation.

He also refuted an allegation that Janse van Rensburg is one of the main drivers of the retrenchments, stating he reports to Van Graan and director of rugby John Mitchell.

His mandate is also set out and approved by the board of directors and no other party.

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