European Rugby League has expressed is deepest condolences to the South Africa Rugby League Sporting Association on the recent passing of former President and Secretary General, Mr Kobus Botha.

Kobus was a longstanding leader within SARLSA, providing both hands-on management and finance to help restructure and develop the game in South Africa and in 2015, with colleagues in the Lebanese Rugby League Federation, started the process of the devolution of the Middle East & Africa to eventually become a confederation of the IRL in its own right. 

“We share the grief of Kobus's family and colleagues within SARLSA” said Remond Safi, ERL's Regional Director for MEA. “Kobus was a pillar of strength for both the game in South Africa and the wider African continent and his experience, knowledge and dedication was both an inspiration to us all and shall be sorely missed."