Players lose millions in rugby deal

Former Springbok scrumhalf Johan Roux and rugby agent Anthony Johnson are at the centre of a failed investment deal that allegedly left players millions of rands out of pocket.

According to an IOL investigation by Brandon Nel and Xolile Mtembu, players were approached in 2021 to provide money that would help unlock a €100-million (R1.9-billion) loan intended to finance the purchase of French club Béziers. The takeover never happened and at least one player has since opened a criminal complaint in Poland.

A former Sharks hooker, who asked not to be named, paid €120,000 (R2.2-million) after joining a Zoom call arranged by his long-time agent Johnson and attended by Roux.

The agreement reportedly promised that within 30 days he would receive his €120,000 back plus €80,000 (R1.5-million) interest – a 66% return. Five years later, he says he has received neither.

“It is a f**king sh*tshow,” the player told IOL.

Bank records seen by IOL showed the money was transferred in 12 €10,000 payments to a personal account in Poland belonging to Italian Antonino Pane, who describes himself as CEO of Eurokredit Merchant Bank.

Roux told IOL that the players’ money was intended as collateral to unlock the larger loan, which would then have been used to buy Béziers. He said he had also invested his own money but declined to disclose the amount or provide proof of the payment.

Johnson similarly maintains that he was a victim of the failed deal and said he had invested about €100,000 (R1.9-million) himself.

“I’m personally invested in this thing and I’m in the same position as [the Sharks hooker] and the other guys,” he said.

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Former Bulls coach Rudy Joubert was also involved in the proposed Béziers takeover but told IOL he played no role in the financial transactions. He says he spent about R500,000 on travel and legal expenses that has not been repaid.

Roux, Johnson and Joubert said they had not been contacted by law enforcement authorities and were unaware that a criminal case had been opened.

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