CAPE TOWN – Zelt Marais was appointed as the new Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU) president on Monday.
Marais was voted into the position at the union’s general council meeting at Newlands, in Cape Town, on Monday.
With outgoing president Thelo Wakefield stepping down after completing a second term, the former deputy president Marais was chosen by the clubs to replace him.
Wakefield's tenure as WPRFU President ran from 2012 until 2018, which is the maximum term of office.
"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," he said.
Marais has served as a WPRFU executive committee member for 12 years and was deputy president of the union for the last two years.
Moneeb Levy was voted in as deputy president and Spencer King (unopposed) will be vice president.
Western Province Rugby Group CEO Paul Zacks thanked Wakefield for his service and welcomed Marais as the new president.
New WP deputy-president Moneeb Levy (left), pictured with former WP president Thelo Wakefield, Photo: Thelo Wakefield on facebook
"I would 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," he said.
Marais said that he is looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead as WPRFU president.
"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 WPRFU into the future," he said.
The WPRFU Executive Committee is as follows:
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.